We Done It by Steven Peet

Opening Reception: First Friday, March 7, 6-9pm

Steven Peet’s latest exhibition “We Done It” explores the fraught relationship between people, especially the artist himself, and the built environment. Drawing on his background as an architect and his experiences abroad, including a recent residency in Kyoto, Japan, Peet interrogates the tension between abundance and efficiency in contemporary urban spaces. Through his acrylic paintings on canvas and paper, Peet crafts layered compositions that reflect on the unsettling and often chaotic nature of development and cities. His artwork and creative process question whether these environments, and their apparent disregard for nature, are the products of careless design or are “intentionally hurtful”. By connecting pictorial space with narrative potential, Peet’s evolving body of work challenges us to consider: are we the makers of our surroundings, or merely their output?

I wonder if we exist how we do because we want to or because we have to, and I grapple with the notion that we have become subservient to our own activities. Put simply, are we the makers or the products? - S.P.

About the Artist

Confused by everything, Steve uses art to slow down and process his life. It doesn’t help much, but it’s something to do. After painting, Steve is often more confused than when he started. In this endeavor, he is broadly drawn to themes that address the relationship between people and their built environment. He has a master’s degree in architecture from the University at Buffalo and has studied abroad in Belgium and China; his training in design, interest in built-up places, and experience abroad form the backbone of his approach to art. His work has been exhibited in numerous local shows, as well as a 2-person show in Buffalo, NY. He was also featured in a show in Kyoto, Japan at the conclusion of a recent residency program. He currently lives in Rochester, NY with his wife and their son, where he practices architecture full-time and paints at every reasonable opportunity. @avgsteve