One demonstration of the way photography became assimilated into the art world is the success of photorealist painting in the late 60’s and early 70’s. It is also called super-realism or hyper-realism and painters like Richard Estes, Denis Peterson, Audrey Flack, and Chuck Close often worked from photographic stills to create paintings that appeared to be photographs. The everyday nature of the subject matter likewise works to secure the painting as a realist object. The hyperrealist genre, however, is clearly more than just an attempt to replicate the mechanical action of taking a photograph.
As it can be understood from Graham Thompson’s explanation, hyper-realism main goal is to create paintings like photos, but this does not mean that photorealism is just the mere action of copying pictures. To be able to create the feeling that the painting is real is the main goal. The objects in the painting should include every little detail to be able to look like a real photo.
As Thompson mentions, there are several famous photo realist painters. One of these painters is Denis Peterson. Denis Peterson is one of the first Photorealists appeared in New York and he can be considered as one the founders of Hyper-realism. Peterson’s painting style is related to social change and many of the figures in his paintings are not mere replica of photos. Each figure can be considered as a reference to the genocides, cultural problems and cultural discriminations.
Here there are a few examples from Denis Peterson’s works. =)
Edges
Homeless Wall Step
Wheelchair Family
Madonna and Child
Escape into Life 