Pop Art Animals
Combining animal subjects with a pop art style has led to a lot of fun, whimsical framed animal pop art. Most people have had animals in their homes at some point in their lives, and they usually have fond memories of such animals. This combination of nostalgia for beloved animals and the irreverent approach of pop art makes for a striking, modern artistic style.
Pop art first rose to prominence in the mid-1950s in Great Britain and shortly after that in the United States. Roy Lichtenstein’s “GRRRRRRRRRRR” is a classic early example of framed animal pop art paintings. This painting is also often interpreted as Lichtenstein’s response to people who were critical of pop art. The style went into a decline in the early 1970s but is now one of the most well-known movements of twentieth century art.
The 1980s saw a renewed interest in framed animal pop art pictures with works such as “Pop Shop (Dogs)” by Keith Haring helping to lead the revival. David Hockney also played an important role in returning pop art to glory with his series of paintings of dachshunds, including “Dog Painting 17.” Walt Curlee’s “Three Flamingos” looks like an early predictor of minimalist web design, despite being created in 1985.
The tradition of framed animal pop art on canvas continues today with artists like Howie Green and his works “Mr. Elephant” and “Poker Cows.” Dean Russo is another artist working in this style, incorporating psychedelic patterns and color schemes into his paintings “Great Dane” and “Tilt Cat.” New Orleans-based artist Angel Turner Dyke likes to juxtapose relatively simple images of the animal itself with wildly colorful, intricate backgrounds.