Pop Art emerged in the mid-1950s as a reaction to the prevailing art movements of the time. With its bright, bold colors, its incorporation of popular culture imagery, and its use of found objects and everyday materials, Pop Art was a major influence in the mainstream art world. But what influenced Pop Art?
The movement was a direct response to Abstract Expressionism, which had dominated the art world for much of the 1950s. Abstract Expressionism was abstract, emotional and expressive, often focusing on internal psychological themes. By contrast, Pop Art focused on external visual elements that were often derived from popular culture sources such as advertising, movies and television.
Pop artists also drew inspiration from Dadaism and Surrealism. Dadaists sought to challenge traditional notions of art by creating works that were deliberately irrational or nonsensical.
Surrealists used unexpected juxtapositions to create dream-like images. The juxtaposition of found objects and everyday materials with more traditional fine art techniques was an important influence on Pop Art.
The emergence of mass media was another major factor in the development of Pop Art. Artists such as Andy Warhol embraced mass media imagery as a way to comment on popular culture and consumerism. By incorporating elements from advertising and other forms of mass media into their work, they sought to draw attention to how pervasive these images had become in our lives.
Conclusion:
Pop Art was heavily influenced by several different movements including Abstract Expressionism, Dadaism and Surrealism. It also drew inspiration from the emergence of mass media and its associated imagery such as advertising and television. All these influences helped shape Pop Art into one of the most iconic art movements in history.