Peter Eastman

Notes

Peter Eastman has earned a reputation of being an experimental painter, using a variety of mediums that consistently expand his artistic practice. The present lot, Large City, was created as part of his 2004 Stevenson exhibition, Reflective, which marked a period of experimentation with enamel for the artist.¹

For Eastman, his surroundings and environment have a profound influence on his work. Subjects are taken from lived interiors, cityscapes, studio views, family photographs and landscapes that are known to him.² Through his enamel works, he creates an atmosphere for an audience to reflect on their position as a viewer. The city landscape, devoid of human life, creates a mysterious atmosphere at first glance.³ Though one quickly realises that through the darkness of the composition and the qualities of the chosen medium, ones reflection becomes part of the artwork, making the viewer play an integral role in its presentation.

^1. Stevenson (2004) Peter Eastman: Reflective, exhibition catalogue, Cape Town: Stevenson, unpaginated.

^2. SMAC (2014) ArtThrob, Deep Chine: Peter Eastman at SMAC Art Gallery Cape Town, online, accessed 22 January 2026.

^3. Kim Gurney (2004) ArtThrob, The Lucious Quality of Paint, online, accessed 5 January 2026.

Exhibited

Stevenson, Cape Town, Reflective, 23 June to 31 July 2004.

Provenance

Stevenson, Cape Town, 2004.

Property of a Gentleman.

Literature

Lloyd Pollak (2004) 'Three Young Painters', Art South Africa, Spring 2004, illustrated in colour on page 73.

Stevenson (2004) Peter Eastman: Reflective, exhibition catalogue, Cape Town: Stevenson, illustrated in colour, unpaginated.