Miami, FL – July 20, 2016 – Ocean Drive Magazine hosted it’s “Art of The City” event with featured artist, Peter Tunney who made a noteworthy arrival into his Wynwood Walls gallery on a custom scooter. ​Ocean Drive magazine’s limited-edition “Art of The City” issue features Tunney’s work, “Cailin” on its Summer, Art of The City cover. Tunney’s cover art was also featured as part of the magazine’s online charity art auction which ran on Paddle8.com. Miami luminaries​ j​oining the magazines Editor-in-Chief, Jared Shapiro and Publisher, Courtland Lantaff were Mayor ​Carlos ​Gimenez, Wynwood pioneer and Wynwood Walls creator Jessica Goldman, nightlife icon and street art collector David Grutman with new wife, model Isabel Rangel Grutman, Southern Wine and Spirits and founders of South Beach Wine & Food Festival Arlene and Wayne Chaplin and over 150 VIP​​s​.​ All proceeds benefit Artists for Peace and Justice.

World Red Eye was able to catch a moment with Tunney, who gave us a closer look into his world of art, what new projects we can expect and what he thinks about Miami’s art culture today.

WRE: How did you get your start in the art world?

PT: I declared myself an artist in 1987 after the stock market crash. I took everything out of my apartment on 60th Street and painted each item before putting it back in a new spot, including painting over my TV screen.

WRE: How does it feel having a limited edition cover of Ocean Drive magazine’s special “Art of the City” piece?

PT: I like seeing it, I like being a paradigm breaker. Art on the cover of a magazine thrills me, even if it wasn’t mine. In this case it is and that’s just an additional thrill.

WRE: Can you tell us more about the giant polaroid artwork of “Cailin”, that is being donated to the auction?

PT: Cailin Russo is a dear friend and amazingly talented singer, songwriter and really an insanely great model. We shot tons of Giant Polaroids together and she is just a total chameleon and professional. In this photo, it was the last shot of the day and I double exposed her into my oldest painted jeans. It was an unexpected miracle when we peeled it back; I love the ancient degradation and elements of an accident.

WRE: What is it like to work with the giant vintage polaroid that was once used by Andy Warhol himself?

PT: It’s just a surreal treat every time! Every image is an event, and the fact that giants like Warhol and Chuck Close have used it makes it that much cooler. It also makes you think a little harder and be respectful.

WRE: Much of your work features specific words or sayings, could you expand more on what message you are trying to get across with this? What do you want people to take away from your art?

PT: I don’t really think of it in those terms; stuff is just coming out of me and I’m compelled to put it out there. I guess overall I am trying to just be here, be present, enjoy the now and in general have less fear and pay attention better.

Cruising Wynwood through hundreds of siiick murals blasting Frank Ocean is something I really cherish; it’s just real time magic.

Peter Tunney

WRE: Can you expand more on how you incorporate photography into your pieces?

PT: Photography is mostly a base for me; a canvas with an image already on it. I like to add to, layer up and change a static photo into something slightly more interesting. The Giant Polaroid can create layered images through double and triple exposures. If I add a few layers to that and reshoot it, it really becomes something else, an object where the viewer is not sure what is the painting, what is the photo and where each begins or ends.

WRE: What is your favorite medium to work with? Why?

PT: I like garbage, literally stuff I find in the trash. I get great satisfaction finding a wonderful piece of garbage and turning it into a treasured object.

WRE: How have you seen art in Miami evolve over the years?

PT: It’s become a mecca for artists, collectors, exhibitions, museums and galleries. When you bring so much critical mass there will be good, bad and ugly, but it will certainly be a dynamic scene. People now come to Miami from all over the world to buy art; it used to be NYC or London, now you can add Miami to the list. Miami is rocking!

WRE: Why do you think Wynwood Walls has become increasingly popular?

PT: Wynwood Walls is a special place. It’s the most coveted place to do a wall, and it’s something to see. It’s diverse, it’s big, and it’s a deep well of artists and artwork that touch so many people, causes and social activations. Wynwood is the big movement in art at this time and it’s awesome in every respect. So people that come here are blown away and tell their friends. Wynwood Walls is super busy right now and it’s Monday in late July. A few years ago I would close from May until November. Today we get thousands of people every day!

WRE: You’ve been spotted jetting around town in very cool-looking vehicles, can you tell us more about this?

PT: I like cruising around in these amazing rolling works of art created by my buddy Yarrow Mazetti, he is the genius behind Art Cars. Cruising Wynwood through hundreds of siiiiiiik murals blasting Frank Ocean is something I really cherish; it’s just real time magic.

WRE: We hear you are launching a company with Wynwood aficionado Jessica Goldman, can you tell us more about it?

PT: Not really, not yet. It’s called GOLDMAN Global Arts and we are executing monumental global art projects and small local projects. More will be revealed soon.  Jessica is the best partner one could have and we are both super stoked and working on creating amazing projects around the world. You will hear about our groundbreaking Miami projects this fall…

WRE: What advice would you give to young artists trying to make it?

PT: Have big goals and low expectations. It’s a tough and long road. Watch the Calder documentary and watch 100 art bio docs; see the many different ways to survive. But mostly be true to you, have something to say and learn how to say it. Try to be a better artist every day, every hour, think and work all the time.

WRE: What can we expect from you in the future in regards to your work?

PT: Lots of new projects, many public facing big works, and hopefully better work in general. I am trying and working daily to become a better artist – for me. It’s always hard, it’s like writing a hit song or having a best seller, you have to give up and then suddenly something comes… to be continued.

I get great satisfaction finding a wonderful piece of garbage and turning it into a treasured object.

Peter Tunney