Explore the Era

Delve into the postwar Los Angeles art world in this online archive, which provides additional material related to the exhibitions on view at the Getty Center. Learn about hipsters and happenings, and the venues across the city where all the action took place through images from the archives and first-hand accounts with the artists.

Peter Alexander
Artist

Peter Alexander, 1966

Peter Alexander in 1966. Image courtesy of and © Billy Al Bengston

Peter Alexander (born 1939) grew up in Newport Beach, California, and later moved to the West Adams district of Los Angeles. After studying architecture for several years, he shifted his course to art in the mid-1960s and began creating sculptures using new artistic materials. Alexander exploited the transparent, reflective, and colorful properties of plastics and resins to make objects that respond to the particular atmospheric conditions of the rooms in which they are displayed. As with works by other artists associated with the Light and Space movement, these objects create ever-shifting experiences for the viewers who encounter them.

Historic Map Locations

Works of Art

  • Untitled (Leaner)

    Untitled (Leaner), 1970, Peter Alexander. Polyester resin. 104 ½ x 5 ½ x 3 in. Collection of the artist. © Peter Alexander

  • Cloud Box

    Cloud Box, 1966, Peter Alexander. Cast polyester resin. 9 5/8 x 9 5/8 x 9 5/8 in. Collection of Janis Horn and Leonard Feldman, Los Angeles. © Peter Alexander. Photo: Brian Forrest

Explore the Archive

  • Video: Peter Alexander

    Video: Peter Alexander speaks about his work, May 2010

  • An exhibition at Billy Al Bengston’s Artist Studio

    An exhibition at Billy Al Bengston’s Artist Studio, with works by Ed Ruscha, Peter Alexander, and John McCracken, 1970. Image courtesy of Billy Al Bengston