Framed American Pop Posters
One style that is probably associated with art in America more than any other is framed American pop art. Although pop art did not originate in America, many of its most famous and respected artists are American. The ideals of the pop art movement, such as a heavy interest in consumer culture and an emphasis on current events over historical events, are also well suited to American sensibilities.
Although pop art originated in Great Britain in the mid-1950s, it did not take too long for framed pop art pictures to catch on in America. The use of recognizable, even ordinary, imagery was a significant departure from the abstract expressionists who had been recently dominant in the art world. Indeed, a major theme in many pop art works is that of elevating everyday items and showing that they, too, can be great art.
The most well-known painter of framed pop art pieces is undoubtedly Andy Warhol. His “Campbell’s Soup Cans” is one of the most famous pieces of twentieth-century art. It has appeared on posters, t-shirts, and even tennis shoes. Warhol started as a commercial illustrator, and commercial design exerted an influence on pop art that continues today. Another famous American pop artist is Roy Lichtenstein, who is most renowned for his comic book influences. These can be seen in paintings like “Whaam!” and “M-Maybe Girl.” Lichtenstein is probably one of the most frequently imitated pop artists after Warhol.
Although pop art declined in popularity worldwide in the 1970s, it saw a revival in the 1980s that to some extent continues today. Keith Haring helped spearhead the resurgence of pop art in America with his graffiti-influenced paintings like “Statue of Liberty.” Kevin Cherry brings a pop art sensibility to works like “The End.”