The art world of the 1950s and 60s saw a significant shift in the style of artwork being produced. On one side, Abstract Expressionism was emerging as the predominant movement that focused on expressing emotion through works of art.
On the other, Pop Art was taking shape as a form of art that used popular culture to make a statement. Both styles of artwork had a profound influence on the generation that followed and continue to influence art today.
Abstract Expressionism emerged in the 1940s, but it wasn’t until after World War II that it began to gain traction. This style of painting is characterized by paintings with gestural brushstrokes and vibrant colors that attempt to capture emotional states.
Abstract Expressionists reject traditional forms of painting, such as landscape and portraiture, in favor of creating something completely new and unique. The goal is to create a visual representation of an emotion or idea without relying on figurative elements. Artists such as Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Barnett Newman are often associated with this movement.
Pop Art emerged in the late 1950s as a reaction against Abstract Expressionism. It was more focused on consumer culture and mass media than its predecessor.
Pop artists used popular images from magazines, newspapers, television shows and advertisements in their artwork to make commentary about society at large. Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans is perhaps the most famous example of Pop Art, but other artists like Roy Lichtenstein, Claes Oldenburg and James Rosenquist are also associated with this movement.
The Difference Between Abstract Expressionist & Pop Art
The main difference between these two styles is their subject matter. Abstract Expressionism focuses on conveying emotion through abstract shapes and colors while Pop Art utilizes recognizable images from pop culture to comment on society at large. Additionally, while both styles were revolutionary at their time, they have gone in different directions since then; while Abstract Expressionism has largely stayed true to its original form, Pop Art has evolved over time into countless different sub-genres.
Conclusion: In conclusion, there are many differences between abstract expressionist art and pop art: from their subject matter to their evolution over time. While both have had a great influence on modern art today, they remain distinct styles with unique characteristics.