Pop Art

Pop Art

Pop art originates from London back in the 50's. Back then it was known as propaganda art. A small group of respected young artists put together an exhibition about the cheap consumer products that were part of everyday life. This may have not seemed like much at the time, but these artists had just invented pop art.

It was not until the American artists created their interpretation of the theme that pop art became widely recognized. An exhibition in 1962 titled "New Realists" featured the stars of pop art. Warhol, Lichtenstein, Oldenburg, these were the people who would shape this new form.

Most people, even those without a particular interest in art, will know the name Warhol. Most will recognize his work too. The impact of "32 Campbell's soup cans" and the "Marilyn green, pink, red, and gold" pieces cannot be denied.

His work has always divided the art community, in fact pop art as a whole has always been somewhat of a controversial subject. Many see it as lacking in technical skill and depth. But this was not what pop art was seeking to represent. It is mirroring our current cultural climate and trying to make art from the mundane. There have been some artists who have successfully made this statement and hundreds who have failed.

Some hold pop art accountable for some of the present monstrosities of modern art. Pop art was the catalyst, but is not the cause.