Pop art and abstract expressionism are two artistic movements that have had a significant impact on modern art. Though they share certain characteristics, they are also very different in their approach to art making.
Pop art emerged in the 1950s as a reaction against abstract expressionism. It was an attempt to challenge the prevailing artistic trends of the time, which focused on emotional self-expression and non-representational forms.
Instead, pop artists embraced popular culture and used imagery from everyday life as subject matter for their paintings and sculptures. This included comic books, advertising, magazines, films, and other mass media sources. Pop art often featured bright colors and bold shapes that were meant to be eye-catching and accessible to a wide range of viewers.
Abstract expressionism began in the 1940s as a movement centered around emotional self-expression through painting or sculpture. Artists like Jackson Pollock used dynamic brush strokes and drips of paint to create works with an emphasis on the physicality of painting rather than representational forms.
The movement was highly personal, with each artist expressing their own psychological states through their works. Abstract expressionists often used muted colors or limited palettes to create feelings of introspection or contemplation in their artwork.
The two movements differ significantly in how they approach art making as well as what they are trying to communicate through their work. Pop art is characterized by its use of popular culture imagery and bold colors that make it easily understandable to viewers who may not be familiar with traditional art forms. Abstract expressionism is more focused on emotional self-expression through painting or sculpture using muted colors and dynamic brush strokes or drips of paint.
In conclusion, pop art is different from abstract expressionism because it uses popular culture imagery and bright colors while abstract expressionism focuses on emotional self-expression through painting or sculpture with muted colors and dynamic brush strokes or drips of paint. Pop art is meant to be accessible while abstract expressionism is more personal in nature.