The great Pablo Picasso once said, “Art is a lie that makes us realise the truth.”

However subjective it may be, it takes a great level of understanding to recognise the life and style of the artist, as well as the curatorial philosophy behind each exhibition. Sometimes we feel an instant connection, but at times, the intention can get lost in translation.

In the early 1960s, artists in the UK and the US rose up against traditional academicism, resulting in the emergence of a movement that challenged the traditions of fine art.

These artists believed that art should be accessible to the public, and started reproducing their works in large quantities, focusing on everyday objects and bright colours as a demonstration of irony.

This formed the foundations of pop art as we know it today.

For pop art artists, it’s all about making a bold statement without paying heed to convention, tradition, or perception – which is something evident from the roundup below.  

BIZARRE BUT BREATHTAKINGLY TALENTED

The first artist that comes to mind is none other than the “Godfather of Pop Art”, Andy Warhol.

Throughout his career, Warhol committed himself to the commercialisation of art, advocating the attainability of art through mass reproduction, together with the use of repetitive designs.

We daresay that almost everyone will have seen his iconic pieces, Campbell’s Soup Cans and Marilyn Diptych.

Through constantly changing colour palettes and compositions, Warhol’s distinct style gives you a glimpse into his ever-evolving thought process as one of the most representative pop art artists of all time.

OF PUMPKINS, TENTACLES AND POLKA DOTS

Diagnosed with schizophrenia as a child, Yayoi Kusama often experienced visual and auditory hallucinations, which she described as “flashes of light, auras, or dense fields of dots”.

This would eventually become Kusama’s trademark, which later on earned her the nickname, “Queen of Polka Dots”.

Her Infinity Net series have no beginning or end; simply an entire canvas covered in tiny undulating patterns.

In January 2023, Kusama’s long-awaited second collaboration with Louis Vuitton saw her polka dots adorning the luxury brand’s bags and accessories. Some boutiques were even transformed into Infinity Mirror Rooms!

MUNDANE EVERYDAY OBJECTS, MAGNIFIED

Swedish sculptor Claes Oldenburg was most-known for his public art installations, featuring the most “boring” everyday objects like garbage bags, spoons, lipsticks, shuttlecocks and electrical plugs in his work.

However, the one thing that stood out was how big these installations were. Take Clothespin in Philadelphia, for example, which stands at 45 feet tall, looming over the people who come to see it in a twist of absurdity.

Oldenburg’s preference for soft forms like fabric or latex also allowed him to create three-dimensional sculptures in the shape of cheeseburgers, cakes, profiteroles and more.

THE HIGHEST-PAID LIVING ARTIST

Ever since he was five, Jasper Johns has already made up his mind to become an artist. Two years after he was discharged from the army in 1954-55, Johns made an encaustic (hot wax) painting, inspired by a dream he had of the American flag.

Art dealer Leo Castelli first discovered Johns’ talent during a visit to painter Robert Rauschenberg’s studio.

He expressed his surprise at the sheer amount of artworks Johns had created.

“I was confronted with that miraculous array of unprecedented images – flags, red, white and blue... All white... Large ones... small ones, targets... numbers, alphabets. Just an incredible sight... Something one could not imagine.”

Immediately, Castelli offered Johns his first solo show.

Over the course of his career, Johns continued creating artworks based on the star-spangled banner – his 1958 Flag, was purchased in 2010 for a whopping US$110mil, making him the most-paid living artist in the world.

GRAFFITI FOR EVERYONE’S APPRECIATION

Keith Haring believed that symbols could transcend languages and cultures, so most of his artwork featured simple, clear outlines of figures (Radiant Baby) and animals (Barking Dog).

Haring’s father, Allen, was an amateur cartoonist, and they spent a lot of time producing creative drawings together.

While studying at the School of Visual Arts in New York, Haring immersed himself in an alternative art community that had developed outside the gallery and museum system. Here, he became friends with Jean-Michel Basquiat.

In the 1980s, Haring discovered a creative medium that would eventually get his work recognised – “subway drawings”.

His doodles (done in white chalk on advertising panels covered in black paper) became a focal point for New York subway commuters, and oftentimes, he was even arrested for defacing public property.

However, this never deterred Haring; it was said that he would create as many as 40 drawings a day!

POP ART THROUGH PARODY

Before he came to prominence as a pop art artist, Roy Lichtenstein actually specialised in landscape painting.

Influenced by his two sons who loved reading comics, he started creating his own parodied, tongue-in-cheek versions.

Ben Day dots and thick outlines, combined with dramatic details and vivid colours, became Lichtenstein’s signature style, as evident in his most famous artworks like Whaam! and Crying Girl.

Even though his drawings were often funny and light-hearted, Lichtenstein was known to be somewhat of a thinker.

He thought up philosophical and quotable gems like: “Organised perception is what art is all about.”

He also said: “Pop Art is industrial painting. I think the meaning of my work is that it is industrial, it's what all the world will soon become. Europe will be the same way, soon, it won't be American; it will be universal.”

Cover Credit: A Paper Creative

Writer | Michelle Tan

Having spent the past decade turning her passion into profession, Michelle is a freelance writer/translator based in Malaysia. Her lifelong dream is to become an urban hermit. 

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