Why Did Pop Art Start?

Art|Pop Art

Pop art began as a visual form of expression in the mid 1950s in Britain and then in the United States. It was a response to the increasingly commercialized society in which people lived, and sought to challenge traditional art forms. Pop art was a reaction against abstract expressionism, which was dominant at the time, and was characterized by its bright colors and bold images.

Pop art is often associated with Andy Warhol, who is credited with creating some of the most iconic pieces of the movement. Warhol used everyday objects such as Campbell’s Soup cans and Coca-Cola bottles to create his works, which were designed to be accessible to everyone. He wanted to blur the lines between highbrow and lowbrow culture, as well as demonstrate that popular culture could be seen as an important form of expression.

Other artists from the movement included Roy Lichtenstein, Claes Oldenburg, Robert Rauschenberg, James Rosenquist and Jasper Johns. All these artists used popular culture references in their work, often taking images from advertisements or comic books and using them as part of their works. This helped to blur the boundaries between fine art and popular culture even further.

Pop art also had an influence on fashion and design during this period, with designers such as Mary Quant taking inspiration from it for her clothing line. This demonstrated how influential pop art had become both within fine art circles and in wider society.

Overall, pop art started as a reaction to traditional forms of expression that were becoming increasingly commercialized during this period. It sought to challenge accepted conventions by using everyday objects and references from popular culture to create accessible artwork that could be appreciated by everyone. Pop art’s influence has continued up until today through its impact on fashion design and its use of popular culture references in contemporary artwork.

Conclusion:

Pop Art started as a way for artists to challenge accepted conventions by blurring the lines between highbrow and lowbrow culture through their use of everyday objects from popular culture. It sought to create accessible artwork that could be appreciated by all audiences, while also influencing modern design through its impact on fashion trends over time.