"Everything revolves around the trivial mass culture that surrounds us everywhere"
'Objects are taken out of their traditional context and literally or figuratively enlarged'
What began as an avant-garde movement in the 1950s developed into a highly influential movement for contemporary modern art. We can say that many street art and urban artists are inspired by the pop art art movement. A movement, born of a certain zeitgeist, that wants to make art accessible. With a touch of humor and irony. The largest gallery in the Benelux, AbrahamArt, features work by major contemporary pop art artists, including Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, Bram Reijnders, Marco Grassi, Selwyn Senatori, Claus Costa and George Heidweiler.
Transition from expressionism to pop art
While a group of young artists (The Independent Group) started to make a name for themselves in London in 1954 after their controversial exhibition 'This is Tomorrow', the work of Robert Rauschenberg typifies the transition from abstract expressionism to pop art in the early 1960s. America. In a variety of ways - using printed media, film, photographs, screen prints and spray cans - these artists rebel against the elite. They want to make pop art: popular art.
But what is pop art? Briefly outlined, we can list the following pop art characteristics: the art mainly appeals to a modern broad public, is understandable to everyone, affordable, accentuates the ephemeral aspect, is often produced in series and the atmosphere is light, funny and the preferably sexy too. Objects are taken out of their traditional context and literally or figuratively enlarged.
Pop Art Artists
The founders of The Independent Group, Eduardo Paolozzi and Richard Hamilton, create collages from magazines and advertisements, incorporating elements of modern consumer society. The work is generally cool and distant. Everything revolves around the trivial mass culture that surrounds us everywhere. And for the freedom of creation.
In the United States, Robert Rauschenberg also experiments with physical objects that bring relief to his work. Together with his housemate Jasper Johns, he focuses on figurative motifs and tangible texture. These gentlemen - both inspired by the French Dadaist Marcel Duchamp - are the forerunners of the American pop art movement. So not (as is often thought) Roy Lichtenstein, who elevates comics culture to art. Another well-known pop art representative, Andy Warhol, remained loyal to the movement throughout his life. Warhol makes screen prints of the first true icons of the silver screen and focuses on mass-produced serial products such as Campbell soup cans and Brillo boxes in his work.
Good eye catchers
Many pop art paintings continue to fascinate, without having the hint of a deeper message and are therefore the ideal wall decoration, in every room, private and business. The deluge of images and impressions keep the works fascinating. There is always something new to discover. This makes the works good eye-catchers.
"You have to get people to listen before you can change their mind"
Pop art does not only manifest itself on a flat surface, the ideas also translate into three-dimensional visual art. An example of this is Christo, who fixes the abstraction of buildings and objects by wrapping them up.
Contemporary pop art
AbrahamArt houses works by some of the big names of the contemporary pop art movement, supplemented by works by innovative, emerging pop art artists. For example, the artworks of the equally high-profile and successful Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons are definitely a good investment.
Briton Hirst is an entrepreneur, avid art collector and conceptual artist, known for his controversial view of beauty and artifacts. In the early 1990s he is part of the widely acclaimed Young British Artists (YBAs). One of his motivations is the realization that you have to get people to listen before you can change their mind. And he certainly does not shy away from confrontation.
Koons (without a doubt one of the most important living artists) also likes to push the boundaries. He depicts the themes of banality and seduction by giving an absurd twist to the simplest matters. So intense that his work goes completely over the top and derives its artistry precisely from this. The American knows how to transform kitsch into art like no other.
The International Art Scene
AbrahamArt also hosts work by other pop art-influenced artists who are highly valued by the international art scene. An artist who is currently taking the world by storm is the Dutchman Bram Reijnders. Reijnders' work is mischievous but also confrontational, innocently honest but also complex. A chunk of energy, just like the world citizen himself. Driven by a pure desire for life, he tries to seduce and at the same time investigate what is truth and what is fiction in this rattling world. His works have risen sharply in price in recent times. And it is expected that this price increase will continue.
'Reijnders' work is mischievous but also confrontational, innocently honest but also complex. A chunk of energy, just like the world citizen himself.'
Artist who inspire each other
In all painting movements we see an overlap of artists who inspire each other in the search for their uniqueness. Selwyn Senatori, a Dutchman with obvious Italian roots, openly admits this. His work is inspired by Herman Brood, Alec Monopoly, Banksy, Andy Warhol and Selwyn Senatori, as he says. The young talent feels completely comfortable with that. His versatility is reflected in the colourful, characteristic paintings and serigraphs.
Due to the bright use of color in combination with classical art themes, clippings and celebrities, the paintings of the Brazilian Claus Costa are perhaps most reminiscent of pop art from the last century. Like his predecessors, Costa wants to organize the contemporary chaos of images we live in, make them meaningful and - why not - beautiful!
Pop Art Paintings
View the full product range in relation to pop art here. AbrahamArt has a unique range, consisting exclusively of original paintings by renowned contemporary artists. The works are for sale or for rent and trial placements are easy to arrange. In addition, we are happy to provide you with advice for the best place for your pop art works of art. Through our business service you can benefit from the many advantages that art in the workplace entails. We always have a suitable artwork for every space and budget.
In addition to pop art, AbrahamArt has brought many different art movements to the attention. Think of art photography, contemporary art and modern art. A large number of artists can be found and the range for leasing, buying and art lending is large. Who offer art lending in major cities such as Rotterdam, Utrecht, Amsterdam and The Hague.
