Peter A. Arvidson (b. 1962)

After having received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the State University of New York College at Oneonta, Peter Arvidson earned both his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees in painting from the State University of New York at Buffalo. In a statement written in the 1990s, the artist states, “My main concern is to describe ideas and emotions through landscape-oriented imagery.”  Through colors, forms, imagery, and an intentionally naïve style, Arvidson paints “political, social, environmental, and personal concerns.” He hopes that viewers will recognize and respond to his work through mutual sensibilities. The cool, somber palette of The Ice Farm depicts an imaginary, childlike rendering of the feeling of isolation in a frigid, wintry landscape. —NW