Why Did Peter Blake Start Pop Art?

Art|Pop Art

Pop art is a movement that began in the 1950s and gained significant popularity in the 1960s. It emerged as a reaction to the traditional art movements of the time and sought to challenge existing conventions. British artist Peter Blake is widely credited as one of the founders of Pop Art, and his work has had a lasting influence on modern art.

Peter Blake was born in 1932 in Dartford, England. He was interested in art from an early age, and studied at Gravesend School of Art and then at the Royal College of Art.

During this period he became increasingly interested in popular culture, particularly comic books, jazz music and advertisements. These interests would go on to heavily influence his artwork.

In 1956, Blake had his first solo exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), London. This marked the beginning of his career as an artist.

During this time he also became increasingly involved with a group known as The Independent Group (IG), which included other British artists such as Richard Hamilton and Eduardo Paolozzi. The IG was exploring ideas around popular culture, consumerism and mass media.

One of Blake’s most famous works is ‘God Save The Queen’ (1962). This collage features images from popular culture such as advertisements and comics alongside images taken from religious paintings. It is seen as a defining piece of Pop Art, combining elements of both high art and popular culture.

This style of artwork typified what became known as British Pop Art; a distinct branch of the movement which had its own unique characteristics. Blake’s work helped to shape this new aesthetic which was later adopted by other artists such as David Hockney.

Conclusion:

Peter Blake is an important figure in the history of Pop Art and was instrumental in developing its distinct aesthetic. His use of imagery from popular culture such as comic books and advertisements combined with traditional painting techniques created works that challenged conceptions about art at that time. Through his work he sought to explore themes such as consumerism, mass media and popular culture which have since become hallmarks of modern art.