Echo Park's Peter Shire to be Honored by Museum of California Design

Poke your head into Peter Shire’s studio on Echo Park Avenue—as I often do after yoga class-- and it’s an amazing confab of art and artifact.  I was personally wowed by the two canoes hanging from the ceiling. Enlivened by bright colors and elevation, they helped me see Shire’s playful approach to post-modernism and functionality.

“I think of myself as many things at many different times--artist/sculptor/designer/ceramist/father/husband/small business person/Angeleno/Californian/American, said Shire in an email. “Perhaps it all adds up to being a joyful, satisfied dis-satisfied malcontent.”

 I, of course, am not alone in being wowed by Shire—and grateful he still lives in his birthplace neighborhood.  He’s an internationally admired artist, whose work as been exhibited around the worsl and at home, quite recently at Santa Monica College’s new gallery at the Broad Stage.

Shire is going to be honored again this Sunday in Malibu, by the Museum of California Design. The event takes place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Click here for more details.

While Shire said he’s definitely a Californian (fourth-generation) he doesn’t strictly consider himself a designer.  But, of course, he’s honored to be honored:

 “E.M. Forster said he became a writer because he wanted the people he respected or was interested in, to feel the same way about him,” he said. “ At these moments I feel that the people I respect an am interested in, have made that aspect of my life a success.”