Peter Lodato, a defining figure in Venice's art community and a pioneer of the West Coast Light and Space movement, has died. William Turner Gallery, where Lodato exhibited for nearly 30 years, announced his passing.
The artist, who painted daily in his Venice studio, was known for monumental works that explored light, perception and spirituality through refined geometric abstractions. His paintings combined subtle brushwork with vibrant color fields that shifted viewers' sense of space and depth.
Lodato's career began in the late 1960s with environmental light installations. His 1971 piece at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's "24 Young Los Angeles Artists" exhibition used light, mirrors and shadow to garner early acclaim. The oculus of Rome's Pantheon inspired his lifelong pursuit of shaping space through light.
The artist's work was included in the 1981 Whitney Biennial, marking a transition from installations to painting. His visual language drew from Eastern philosophy, often referencing chakra color symbolism—red for vitality and grounding, white for spiritual clarity.
Influenced by Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman and Agnes Martin, Lodato understood painting as both physical and transcendent experience. His works appeared as minimal geometric abstractions but revealed complex emotional resonance upon closer viewing.
The California State University graduate taught at ArtCenter College of Design and UC Irvine. In 2000, the Frederick R. Weisman Foundation presented a major retrospective spanning two decades of his work.
Lodato's paintings are held in permanent collections at the Brooklyn Museum, Seattle Art Museum, Dallas Museum of Art and Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. His work was exhibited at leading institutions including PS1 in New York and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.
Beyond artistic accomplishments, colleagues described Lodato as curious, warm and deeply attuned to music, literature and art. In recent years, he had produced what many considered the most profound work of his career.
He is believed to have died peacefully while playing guitar—a fitting end for someone so attuned to harmony, the gallery said.
Lodato is survived by his son Nicholas Lodato, former wife Tatyana Thompson and stepsons Alexander and Theodore Leshnick.
Memorial arrangements will be announced later.
Edited by SMDP Staff