Peter Landa

Peter Landa has spent more than three years in the Far East and has an intimate knowledge of the people and the landscapes there. He lived in Japan and Korea and traveled extensively in China and Southeast Asia where he gained an appreciation for the art, culture, and everyday scenes of the region.

Originally from Chicago, Peter earned a BFA from the University of Illinois and worked for many years as a graphic artist and book designer. Shortly after graduating and moving to Japan, he was afforded the opportunity to study under Japan’s master wood artist, Hiratsuka. This background and training and the general influence of other Asian artists inspired and influenced both his style and subject matter.

“Spending time in the Orient has allowed me the opportunity to observe firsthand the culture of today and opened my eyes to the history of the area. My interest has been piqued mainly by the changes and upheavals of the last two centuries in virtually all Asian countries. Being there and witnessing just a small part of the evolution has been very rewarding and enlightening. I’ve tried to capture some of the more rural, less urban feelings that were prevalent before WWII. If I can portray a small fiber of the ‘West meets East’ genre with an acceptable interpretation, I’ll feel that I’ve accomplished something satisfying.”