About Peter

Artist Statement

Peter Dušek is an award-winning artist who uses photography to explore visual art as a universal language to evoke emotion using colour, abstraction of landscape elements, and a dash of surrealism. With the simplicity and cutting power of a haiku poem, each of his toned photographs is a visual expression that many people say recalls memories of their past. Seeking the perfect balance between too much and too little, his signature minimalist design goal is “as little as possible, as much as necessary”.

shibumi – a quiet elegance

In today’s world, the eyes and the soul are assaulted by a myriad of things, causing us to lose our focus, become scattered, and even blinded to the simple beauty hidden around us. Inspired by the philosophy of Zen, Peter places a strong emphasis on balance and negative space and his artistic design goal is “as little as possible, as much as necessary”, giving an abstract quality to his intimate landscapes. His style embodies the Japanese design aesthetic shibumi, which means “a quiet elegance”. In this simplicity can be found the serenity and perhaps even the happiness that often eludes us.

As little as possible, as much as necessary.

Peter Dušek photographs after sunset. Photo by Kevin Walsh.

Gallery Representatives

  • Abbozzo Gallery (Toronto, ON)
  • Westland Gallery (London, ON)
  • Peter Dušek Gallery (Creemore, ON)
  • Paul Paletti Gallery / Naomi Stuecker (Louisville, Kentucky)

Corporate and Public Collections

  • Saks Fifth Avenue – 38 works
  • Global Furniture Group – 12 works
  • HLS Therapeutics
  • JRB Group
  • Multimatic Inc. – 4 works
  • POI Business Interiors
  • Rawley Resort
  • Scotiabank
  • Smallrock Capital – commissioned work
  • Government of Ontario Art Collection

Finding Zen

A three minute, inspirational short film about Peter’s process and motivations:

Bio

Peter’s first solo exhibition, Tranquility, at Abbozzo Gallery in 2015, sold out almost two and a half times over, with Saks Fifth Avenue acquiring 38 pieces to represent Canadian Art at their Toronto stores. He was awarded “Best of 2015” by the American Society of Media Photographers and “Best Work by an Emerging Artist” and “The President’s Medal” by the Ontario Society of Artists. His work has been shown at the Affordable Art Fair in New York City, alongside art from 70 international galleries. Articles about Peter and his work have been published in magazines and newspapers, including a feature article in Arabella Art and Design magazine with North American distribution.

Peter had his second major exhibition, Serenity, at Abbozzo Gallery in 2017 as part of the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival, the largest photography event in the world. Serenity was the location for an exclusive gathering of Ontario’s top architects and designers, hosted by Global Furniture Group, who hold ten of his pieces.

He has exhibited in numerous galleries across Canada and the USA, including:

Peter’s work is held in private and corporate collections throughout North America as well as the Government of Ontario Art Collection.

Peter was elected to the Ontario Society of Artists in 2015 (where he serves on the board of directors) and the Society of Canadian Artists in 2016. He is also involved in the community as a proud member of the Rotary Club of Etobicoke.

Great photography is the rare marriage of the creativity of art with the technique of craft and the precision of science. If any one of these elements is missing, a photograph falls short of its full potential. Peter’s photography benefits from his experience as a computer consultant and programmer, building sophisticated database systems, which requires a similar blend of creativity, craft, and extreme attention to detail.

Born in Bratislava, Slovakia, Peter moved to Canada when he was seven years old. He lives in the beautiful Hockley Valley, Ontario with his wife, dog and cat, exploring the countryside by motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot, often accompanied by his dog, Skye. His frequent excursions give him a deep familiarity and affinity with some of Ontario’s most beautiful lands.

Awards

  • 2019 The President’s Medal, Ontario Society of Artists
  • 2018 Honorable Mention, IPA International Photography Awards 2018
  • 2017 Best Landscape Award, RMG Exposed, Art auction, The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa, ON
  • 2017 People’s Choice, Ontario Greenbelt / McMichael Canadian Art Collection / Professional Photographers of Canada
  • 2016 Elected to the Society of Canadian Artists
  • 2016 Honourable Mention, IPA International Photographer Awards 2016
  • 2016 Honourable Mention, Ontario Society of Artists Members’ Exhibition of Selected Works, Toronto, ON
  • 2016 Curry’s Award, Ontario Society of Artists, Toronto, ON
  • 2015 Elected to the Ontario Society of Artists
  • 2015 ASMP Best of 2015, American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP), USA
  • 2015 Best Work by an Emerging Artist, Ontario Society of Artists, Toronto, ON
  • 2015 International Photographer of the Year, Honourable Mention, International photo contest held by IPOTY
  • 2015 Neutral Density Photography Awards 2015, Honorable Mention, International photo contest held by ND Magazine
  • 2015 Juror’s Choice Second Place, Orangeville Art Group, Orangeville, ON
  • 2014 Juror’s Choice, Headwaters Arts, Headwaters Arts Gallery, Alton, ON

Press and Interviews


Tranquility, A Slideshow Of Peter’s First Solo Exhibition

Time to watch: 1 minute, 55 seconds

Tranquility960X540 from Peter Dusek on Vimeo.