Peter Nagy (artist)
American artist (1959–2026)
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Peter Nagy (January 6, 1959 – October 13, 2026) was an American artist known for his post-conceptual art of the 1980s and as an art gallerist. He is closely associated with Gallery Nature Morte, which he co-founded with artist Alan Belcher in New York City's East Village in 1982. Gallery Nature Morte remained open until 1988 and is considered a major part of the Collins & Milazzo exhibitions sensual conceptualism scene.[1] In 1992, Nagy moved to New Delhi, India, where Gallery Nature Morte is now located.[2]
Early life and education
Nagy was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1959.[3] He studied at the Parsons School of Design, receiving a degree in communication design in 1981.[4]
Career as gallerist
With artist Alan Belcher, Nagy opened Gallery Nature Morte in the East Village of Manhattan in 1982.[5][6] Nagy was part of a generation of East Village artist/gallery owners who established a small, trendy, post-minimal alternative to the established SoHo and uptown art scenes.[7] The gallery was open for six years, until 1988.[6] It combined conceptualism and pop art, exploring the relationship between art and commodity.[8][9]
In 1992, Nagy moved to New Delhi, where he revived Gallery Nature Morte in 1997.[10][11] Indian artist Subodh Gupta said of him: "he has fresh eyes and has provided a platform for contemporary artists."[12] In 2021, the gallery opened two additional exhibition spaces in the Indian capital.[13] In 2024, Nature Morte opened a branch in Mumbai.[14]
Art career
In the early 1980s, Nagy became known for works he created by mixing painting techniques with the technology of Xerox photocopy machines.[15][16] One series he executed during this period, International Survey Condominiums, used photocopying as a tool to combine timelines of art history with the floor plans of art museums.[15][17]
Nagy's work is included in the collections of the Whitney Museum,[18] the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art,[19] the Brooklyn Museum,[20] and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.[21]
In 2014, Eisbox Projects published an exhaustive account of Nagy's work by Richard Milazzo in the book Peter Nagy, Entertainment Erases History – Works 1982 to 2004 to the Present.[22]
In 2020, Deitch Projects held a retrospective exhibition in New York City of Nagy's works from the 1980s.[17][23][24]
Nagy is represented by the New York gallery Magenta Plains.[25][26]
Death
Nagy died after a long illness on October 13, 2026, at the age of 67.[27]