Sydney Goes….. POP!

I am thrilled to be helping spread the word about the latest and greatest mega-exhibit to open at the Art Gallery of NSW for Summer – ‘Pop to Popism.’

This exciting exhibition, which has taken the AGNSW more than two years of planning and pleading to piece together from collections all around the world, is the most comprehensive collection of pop art ever to be seen in Australia. Featuring 200 works by more than 70 of pop’s greatest artists (including several Australian artists) it will be the first time many of the high-profile pieces have been shown in Australia.

 

Roy Lichtenstein ‘In the car’, 1963 oil and magna on canvas, © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein

 

Springing out of the post war era, the pop art movement did what all important art does, and that’s reflect the world around it. In an era of automation, consumerism, materialism and mass production it is little wonder that revolutionaries such as Andy Warhol turned out multiples of Soup Cans, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis; or that Roy Lichtenstein exploded comic strips and Mickey Mouse onto canvas.

 

Andy Warhol ‘Marilyn Monroe’, 1967, silkscreen on paper © Andy Warhol

 

However, the movement soon grew on from depictions of consumerist mass production, with artists such as David Hockney, Ed Ruscha and Maria Kozic producing dramatic and moody works reflective of the cooled environment in the west. In the 80’s and 90’s pop art moved out of the studio and on the streets and subways of New York via graffiti inspirations addressing AIDS and gay rights, such was the work of American pop artist Keith Haring.

 

David Hockney ‘Portrait of an artist’, 1972 © David Hockney No1 US Trust

 

Whilst pop art skllfully identified the mood of the day and fed it back to the public as works on canvas, the works of the era have proved anything but momentary.  Ironically, these works have so ingrained themselves into modern day popular culture it would be impossible to imagine fashion, music, celebrity and life as we know it without them.  And who can believe that in this ever-quickening celebrity and “insta-world” that Andy Warhol’s famous words “in the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes” were quipped nearly 50 years ago!

 

Robert Indiana ‘Love cross’, 1968, oil on canvas, © Robert Indiana

 

Pop Art is as relevant today as it ever was, and this amazing exhibition will take viewers on a journey that spans three decades, from the mid 1950s to the 1980s – tracing pop from its origins through to its heyday (and illustrating its enduring legacy both in Australia and internationally.) With featured artists that include Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, David Hockney, Jeff Koons, Brett Whiteley, Richard Hamilton, Martin Sharp, Gilbert and George, Cindy Sherman, Martha Rosler, Ed Ruscha, Peter Blake, Richard, Larter, Niki de Saint Phalle, and Maria Kozic this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get in front of some of the biggest pieces before they go back their home collections.

 

Roy Lichtenstein, ‘Look Mickey’, 1961, oil on canvas, © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein

 

For more behind the scenes about the show, be sure to check out this video:



The exhibition is on now until March 2015 at the Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney. For further info, click here.

21 Comments

  • Vanessa Roberts - Editor
    Reply Vanessa Roberts Monday 22nd December, 2014 at 8:46 pm

    Yes everyone, if in Sydney (or visiting) make sure you go and check it out! It makes a great day trip and there is a restaurant at the gallery with an amazing outlook over the Woolloomooloo Bay. Also, surprisingly, once I got there, I was actually more interested in the lesser-known pieces that I wasn’t too familiar with, rather than the more famous ones.

  • Reply MissySLD Friday 19th December, 2014 at 3:36 am

    BRILLIANT!!! At first I thought ‘can’t believe it’s in Sydney, that’s not right’ then I remembered I’m going up there for a wedding late January! I love Pop Art, cannot wait and hopefully it’ll give me some inspo for what to put in my apartment!

  • kk77
    Reply kk77 Friday 19th December, 2014 at 12:43 am

    I can’t wait to see this!! My favourite artist!

  • KF75
    Reply karlene75 Friday 19th December, 2014 at 12:01 am

    I think a quick trip to Sydney is in order to check out this exhibition.

  • Luci
    Reply Luci Monday 8th December, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    Love all this work- amazing

  • Reply nursetabs Tuesday 25th November, 2014 at 2:01 pm

    So looking forward to seeing this exhibit!

  • Reply sweetz Tuesday 25th November, 2014 at 12:17 pm

    Can’t wait to see this, I saw the banners up outside AGNSW yesterday and they looked amazing!

  • Reply BellaB Wednesday 12th November, 2014 at 11:17 pm

    It’s an eye catching style of art, that’s for sure.

  • Vanessa Roberts - Editor
    Reply Vanessa Roberts Tuesday 11th November, 2014 at 8:55 pm

    That’s hilarious @whatthe!!! Your comments always make me laugh (in a good way!)

  • Reply Whatthe Tuesday 11th November, 2014 at 3:46 pm

    I’ve been inspired – I’ve gone and bought a cozzie top that’s all pop artish!

  • Reply amanda6393 Tuesday 11th November, 2014 at 9:05 am

    Not a real fan of pop art 🙁

  • Reply xlilda Monday 10th November, 2014 at 2:45 pm

    Ooh! Keen!

  • ivysaurus
    Reply ivysaurus Saturday 8th November, 2014 at 10:22 pm

    something fun to do during the holidays 😀

  • Reply Whatthe Saturday 8th November, 2014 at 2:17 pm

    I like pop art – it’s lighthearted and makes everything seem okay – better than a glass of alcohol!

  • Reply stels Saturday 8th November, 2014 at 1:26 pm

    cool

  • kk77
    Reply kk77 Saturday 8th November, 2014 at 12:00 am

    I can’t wait to head down to this exhibition … even my husband is excited to see this!

    • Vanessa Roberts - Editor
      Reply Vanessa Roberts Saturday 8th November, 2014 at 9:08 am

      I’m going again tomorrow @kk77!! Be prepared for crowds, I think…

  • Reply candicelee22 Friday 7th November, 2014 at 1:07 pm

    Love this!

  • Reply Sparkles17 Friday 7th November, 2014 at 10:56 am

    Some interesting pieces for sure.

  • Reply lovelyloves Friday 7th November, 2014 at 8:58 am

    Oh! It’s $20 per person, that’s exy.

  • Reply lovelyloves Friday 7th November, 2014 at 8:57 am

    This looks fun!! Is there an entry fee? I will click onto the link to find out.

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