“All my work can be professionally seen as the artistic contribution that should, and did come after + stem from Francis Bacon. This contribution was not accepted as a contribution because it was a time when people were only interested in the visual appearance of the over-all picture and unable to reflect on the “meaning” of the figurative elements. I got people to interpret my figures only thru dealing with topical subjects, and then mainly complaints like “how the hell am I supposed to appreciate your technique if you keep painting these exciting scenes that are hard to ignore.” – Peter Saul

Peter Saul’s distortions of the human face and body draw from the figurative deformations seen in expressionist and surrealist art. Like Picasso, de Kooning, and Bacon, Saul’s figures are often viewed as formal experiments. However, his work is infused with sarcastic humor and intentionally embraces cruelty and parody, giving it a more biting edge. Saul’s figures are not just distorted for visual impact—they are crafted to provoke the viewer, pushing them to confront the unsettling imagery and explore the deeper meanings beneath. By focusing on topical subjects, Saul encourages audiences to engage with the discomfort his work elicits and reconsider its underlying messages.