The “Art of Politics” a look at Iconic American Artists, Politics and Art | Dane Fine Art
Art has always reflected societal and cultural trends. In some ways, the relationship between art and politics and popular culture is a “dialog” between the artist and trending ideas. The artwork they create is often a commentary or reflection of trending issues.
Art can deliver a message visually. A visual statement that impacts culture and society significantly. Artists make people feel and with that comes a large responsibility.
Many artists, both present and past, have used their art to inform others of social, cultural, and economic problems. With this, art can become political.
Iconic American artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Mr. Brainwash, and Robert Indiana, have all used their creativity to render the powerful links between politics and art.
The Pop Art Movement
Around 1950, the pop art movement emerged in both the United States and Great Britain. Artists of the age sought to connect fine art to the imagery that the everyday individual related to.
The pop-art movement represented a major shift in the ideology held among artists. Artists in this movement worked to blur the boundaries between high art and low culture. They drew from sources of commercial culture to make larger political statements.
Pop art became a way to dismantle the hierarchy that existed both in art and society. Some of the most significant pieces of the movement were created by Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and Robert Indiana. These artists often used their visibility to address inequality, gender roles, and capitalism.
Roy Lichtenstein
The 20th-century artist, Roy Lichtenstein, was born in Manhattan on October 27, 1923. He rose to prominence as a pop artist during the 1960s. Three of his most powerful pieces, that blend politics and art, were The Oval Office, I Love Liberty, and Against Apartheid.
The Oval Office
Roy Lichtenstein’s The Oval Office was a piece commissioned as part of the Artist for Freedom of Expression project. The piece benefited the Democratic National Committee during the 1992 Clinton/Gore campaign. Lichtenstein studied the existing Oval Office and took a modernist perspective. He produced a symbolic piece to represent the most powerful office in America.
I Love Liberty
Another important political piece Lichtenstein created during this era was I Love Liberty. Lichtenstein produced a comic strip frame of the Statue of Liberty holding her fiery torch. The piece was produced in conjunction with the 1982 I Love Liberty Celebration.
Against Apartheid
A third iconic piece produced by Roy Lichtenstein was the non-figural work, Against Apartheid. In this piece, the viewer is meant to feel a sense of incompleteness. The artwork is abstract and purposely does not show the viewer the whole picture. The piece was donated to the Artists of the World Against Apartheid foundation.
Andy Warhol
Born on August 6, 1928, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Andy Warhol was a leader in the pop art movement. Along with his art, Warhol was a talented film director. Two of Warhol’s most impactful pieces that balanced politics and art were the Washington Monument and Teddy Roosevelt.
Washington Monument
Warhol’s Washington Monument was produced in 1974. The piece is a screen print on wallpaper depicting the Washington Monument in the capital city. This piece was just one of many government-related images Warhol created during the 20th century.
Teddy Roosevelt
Teddy Roosevelt is a screen print that depicts Teddy Roosevelt as a young Lieutenant Colonel in his Rough Rider uniform. This piece was part of Warhol’s Cowboys and Indians series.
Robert Indiana
Robert Clark was born on September 13, 1928, in New Castle, Indiana. As he entered into the art world, he adopted the name, Robert Indiana. He rose to fame as a leading member of the pop art movement during the 1960s. One of his more politically minded art forms was The American Dream Series.
The American Dream Series
In the American Dream Series, Robert Indiana used an array of stars, circles, numbers, and stenciled letters to create works of art that held deep meaning to him. Indiana created nine unique versions of the American Dream. Each version was a nod to a significant American cultural icon.
Mr. Brainwash
Thierry Guetta, also known as Mr. Brainwash, was born in France in 1966. Many collectors of pop art, see Brainwash’s works as part of the evolution of modern art. Or a continuing commentary on political and popular sentiments. Mr. Brainwash draws inspiration from the pop art movement in the contemporary cultural images he produces. One of his most iconic works that blend the elements of politics and art is the Ameri-Can Dream.
Ameri-Can Dream
Guetta’s Ameri-Can Dream was inspired by Warhol’s soup can art created in the 1960s. Mr. Brainwash draws on Warhol’s design to create an interpretation of the soup can with the American flag.
Dane Fine Art
Art has the power to captivate and inspire. It also can play a powerful role in important social and political issues. At Dane Fine Art, our goal is to bring art to everyone.
With over 50 years in the industry, we know how to help our customers find the art they want for the right price. We offer works by hundreds of artists, including the artists discussed above.
If you’re interested in owning modern, contemporary, or pop art, shop our collection. If you have more questions about our available selection, please contact us.
Originally published at https://www.danefineart.com on November 27, 2020.