1980s Pop Art
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A Close Look at Pop Art Art
Perhaps one of the most influential contemporary art movements, Pop art emerged in the 1950s. In stark contrast to traditional artistic practice, its practitioners drew on imagery from popular culture — comic books, advertising, product packaging and other commercial media — to create original Pop art paintings, prints and sculptures that celebrated ordinary life in the most literal way.
ORIGINS OF POP ART
- Started in Britain in the 1950s, flourished in 1960s-era America
- “This is Tomorrow,” at London's Whitechapel Gallery in 1956, was reportedly the first Pop art exhibition
- A reaction to postwar mass consumerism
- Transitioning away from Abstract Expressionism
- Informed by neo-Dada and artists such as Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg; influenced postmodernism and Photorealism
CHARACTERISTICS OF POP ART
- Bold imagery
- Bright, vivid colors
- Straightforward concepts
- Engagement with popular culture
- Incorporation of everyday objects from advertisements, cartoons, comic books and other popular mass media
POP ARTISTS TO KNOW
- Richard Hamilton
- Andy Warhol
- Marta Minujín
- Claes Oldenburg
- Eduardo Paolozzi
- Rosalyn Drexler
- James Rosenquist
- Peter Blake
- Roy Lichtenstein
ORIGINAL POP ART ON 1STDIBS
The Pop art movement started in the United Kingdom as a reaction, both positive and critical, to the period’s consumerism. Its goal was to put popular culture on the same level as so-called high culture.
Richard Hamilton’s 1956 collage Just what is it that makes today’s homes so different, so appealing? is widely believed to have kickstarted this unconventional new style.
Pop art works are distinguished by their bold imagery, bright colors and seemingly commonplace subject matter. Practitioners sought to challenge the status quo, breaking with the perceived elitism of the previously dominant Abstract Expressionism and making statements about current events. Other key characteristics of Pop art include appropriation of imagery and techniques from popular and commercial culture; use of different media and formats; repetition in imagery and iconography; incorporation of mundane objects from advertisements, cartoons and other popular media; hard edges; and ironic and witty treatment of subject matter.
Although British artists launched the movement, they were soon overshadowed by their American counterparts. Pop art is perhaps most closely identified with American Pop artist Andy Warhol, whose clever appropriation of motifs and images helped to transform the artistic style into a lifestyle. Most of the best-known American artists associated with Pop art started in commercial art (Warhol made whimsical drawings as a hobby during his early years as a commercial illustrator), a background that helped them in merging high and popular culture.
Roy Lichtenstein was another prominent Pop artist that was active in the United States. Much like Warhol, Lichtenstein drew his subjects from print media, particularly comic strips, producing paintings and sculptures characterized by primary colors, bold outlines and halftone dots, elements appropriated from commercial printing. Recontextualizing a lowbrow image by importing it into a fine-art context was a trademark of his style. Neo-Pop artists like Jeff Koons and Takashi Murakami further blurred the line between art and popular culture.
Pop art rose to prominence largely through the work of a handful of men creating works that were unemotional and distanced — in other words, stereotypically masculine. However, there were many important female Pop artists, such as Rosalyn Drexler, whose significant contributions to the movement are recognized today. Best known for her work as a playwright and novelist, Drexler also created paintings and collages embodying Pop art themes and stylistic features.
Read more about the history of Pop art and the style’s famous artists, and browse the collection of original Pop art paintings, prints, photography and other works for sale on 1stDibs.
- What is Pop art?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Pop art is a movement, started in the 1950s, that uses imagery from popular culture.
- What does pop art mean?2 Answers1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Pop art refers to a movement that emerged during the mid- to late-1950s. It is art based on popular culture and mass media and works to critique traditional fine art values. Find many different works under the Pop art category on 1stDibs.Irena Orlov ArtMarch 1, 2021It emerged in 1950 in United States and England. It is characterized by using images as objects of popular culture or everyday life, obtained from the media. Through irony, it reflected the society of the time, marked by consumerism, materialism, the cult of image and fashion.
- Who was the founder of Pop art?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2024There was no single founder of Pop art, as many artists contributed to the development of the movement. Richard Hamilton’s 1956 collage Just what is it that makes today’s homes so different, so appealing? is widely believed to have kickstarted the unconventional new style. Although Hamilton and other British artists launched the movement, they were soon overshadowed by their American counterparts.
Pop art is perhaps most closely identified with American artist Andy Warhol, whose clever appropriation of motifs and images helped to transform the artistic style into a lifestyle. Roy Lichtenstein was another prominent American Pop artist. Much like Warhol, Lichtenstein drew his subjects from print media, particularly comic strips, producing paintings and sculptures characterized by primary colors, bold outlines and halftone dots, elements appropriated from commercial printing. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Pop art. - What is British Pop art?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 14, 2024British Pop art is a style of art that emerged in the United Kingdom during the 1950s. British artist Richard Hamilton's 1956 collage Just what is it that makes today's homes so different, so appealing? is widely believed to have kickstarted this unconventional new style, which reacted to the period's consumerism. Its goal was to put popular culture on the same level as so-called high culture. Although British artists launched the Pop art movement, they were soon overshadowed by their American counterparts. Pop art is perhaps most closely identified with American Pop artist Andy Warhol, whose clever appropriation of motifs and images helped to transform the artistic style into a lifestyle. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of Pop art.
- What influenced Pop Art?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Pop art was influenced by advertising and other forms of mass marketing
- Is Pop Art postmodern?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Yes, Pop art is considered postmodern.
- Why is it called Pop art?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024The reason why it is called Pop art is that artists who participated in the movement drew inspiration from popular, or "pop," culture. One of the most influential contemporary art movements, Pop art emerged in the 1950s. Its practitioners sought to challenge the status quo, breaking with the perceived elitism of the previously dominant Abstract Expressionism and making statements about current events. They drew on imagery from popular culture — comic books, advertising, product packaging and other commercial media — to create original Pop art paintings, prints and sculptures that celebrated ordinary life in the most literal way. Pop art works are distinguished by their bold imagery, bright colors and seemingly commonplace subject matter. On 1stDibs, shop a wide variety of Pop art.
- Who is the father of Pop art?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024Opinions vary on who the father of Pop art may be. Pop art emerged in the 1950s in Britain and flourished in 1960s-era America as a reaction to postwar mass consumerism. Some argue that Andy Warhol deserves the title because he helped shape the movement during the 1960s. However, other artists like Eduardo Paolozzi and Richard Hamilton began producing what’s now considered Pop art a decade earlier. Other artists who made important contributions to Pop art include Marta Minujín, Claes Oldenburg, Rosalyn Drexler, James Rosenquist, Peter Blake and Roy Lichtenstein. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Pop Art.
- Why did Pop art start?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024Pop art started because artists sought to react to the mass consumerism of the 1950s with the goal of putting popular culture on the same level as so-called high culture. Works associated with Pop art are distinguished by their bold imagery, bright colors and seemingly commonplace subject matter. Practitioners endeavored to challenge the status quo. Pop artists broke with the perceived elitism of the previously dominant Abstract Expressionism and made pointed statements about current events. Richard Hamilton's 1956 collage ‘Just what is it that makes today’s homes so different, so appealing?’ is widely believed to have kickstarted this unconventional new style, but Pop art is perhaps most closely identified with American Pop artists Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. On 1stDibs, explore a collection of Pop art.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 12, 2024Bold, head-turning looks were in fashion during the 1980s. It was the decade of bright electric neon colors as well as suits, jackets, tops and dresses with shoulder pads. The aerobics and fitness craze of the ’80s spilled over into fashion, with people sporting leg warmers, headbands and leggings as everyday apparel. Punk culture also influenced style, with leather jackets, fishnet stockings and chunky metal jewelry being favored by some. Denim looks of the time were often baggy and flaunted acid washes. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of vintage apparel and accessories from the 1980s.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Andy Warhol is one of the most famous Pop artists.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023The bright colors and graphic patterns and imagery of Pop art continue to influence fashion, prompting the industry’s designers to integrate provocative color pairings and visuals commonly associated with mass media and advertising into their garments. You can see examples of this in iconic pieces by Pierre Cardin, Mary Quant and Vivienne Westwood as well as in the work of many contemporary designers. Specifically, the well-known portraits that Andy Warhol created of celebrities and pop culture figures made their way into fashion by designers who incorporated images of popular celebrities into their clothing designs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024Opinions vary as to what the most famous piece of Pop art is. Two major contenders for the title are Andy Warhol's 1961–62 series Campbell's Soup Cans and Roy Lichtenstein's 1963 diptych painting Whaam!. Other notable Pop art works include A Bigger Splash by David Hockney, Flag by Jasper Johns, Crying Girl by Roy Lichtenstein, Radiant Baby by Keith Haring, the Marilyn Triptych by Andy Warhol, and Spoonbridge and Cherry by Claes Oldenburg. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of Pop art.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024Who is considered the father of Pop art is open for debate. Some experts give the title to Andy Warhol, whose clever appropriation of motifs and images helped to transform the artistic style into a lifestyle. Others may argue that Roy Lichtenstein deserves the credit, as his work drawing from print media helped to define the style. Another potential candidate is Richard Hamilton, whose 1956 collage Just what is it that makes today's homes so different, so appealing? is widely believed to have kickstarted the Pop art movement. Shop a diverse assortment of Pop art on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019Artists in the United Kingdom started the Pop art movement as a reaction, both positive and critical, to the period's consumerism. Its goal was to put popular culture on the same level as so-called high culture. London-born artist Richard Hamilton is widely believed to have had a pioneering role in Pop art, which drew on imagery from popular culture - comic books, advertising, product packaging and other commercial media - to create paintings and sculptures that celebrated ordinary life in the most literal way. Although British artists launched the movement, they were soon overshadowed by their American counterparts. Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Rosalyn Drexler are some of the American artists associated with the history of Pop art. Find original Pop art on 1stDibs.
- Was plaid popular in the 1980s?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024Yes, plaid was popular in the 1980s. Interestingly, it was a signature feature of two very different styles that trended during the decade. Plaid appeared on pleated skirts and blazers, common among the preppy set. In addition, many in the punk subculture sported plaid pants and dresses. Find a wide variety of 1980s apparel and accessories on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, although Versace remains one of the top fashion houses of today, the 1980s are considered the heyday of Versace. Campaigns included top supermodels of the time, including Kate Moss and Claudia Schiffer, and were shot by the top photographers Richard Avedon and Bruce Weber. Shop iconic vintage and contemporary Versace apparel and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023One of the most popular types of dresses during the 1980s was a tight-fitting sheath with oversized shoulder pads. Peplum accents were also common as were large puffy sleeves. On 1stDibs, find a collection of 1980s vintage dresses on 1stDibs.
- Is Alex Katz s style Pop art?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024Yes, Alex Katz's style is Pop art. During the 1950s, he experimented with collage and painting on aluminum sheets, with his later work in the 1960s drawing inspiration from film and advertising. In the 1970s, Katz expanded into portrait groups that regularly depicted the cultural scene of New York. In the 1980s, he extended his focus to fashion and its supermodels. These sources of inspiration align with Pop art's focus on transforming elements of popular culture into fine art. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Alex Katz art.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Roy Lichtenstein painted Pop art to comment on geopolitical and social issues of his time. He patterned his work off of mass media like advertising and comic books to help convey his messages. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Roy Lichtenstein art.
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