#1: The Movement.

Pop Art is a renowned symbol of culture, media, and a revolutionary era that is recognized world-wide. The term Pop Art originated from the English writer Lawrence Alloway, who used it to “describe those paintings that celebrate post-war consumerism, defy the psychology of Abstract Expressionism, and worship the god of materialism” (Pioch). “Popism” is defined by more than just its style and traits, but its motivations. Fueled by a rebellion from the restrictions Pop Artists believed Abstract Expressionists were confined by, Pop Art aimed to make a statement on society through the use of irony, common realities, and sarcasm. The basis of Pop Art was that the “epic was replaced with the everyday and the mass-produced awarded the same significance as the unique” (Pioch). This exposure of realities is a legacy in the art realm due to the challenge it posed to conventional artists that fine art and art focusing on popular culture are of the same standards.

Pop Artists adopted techniques from graphic designers and advertisements. Most pieces entail the thorough use of color and identifiable images. One of the most recognizable characteristics of Pop Art is its production. The traditional painting methods were exchanged for methods such as silk screening and modern printing. Pop Art is also known for being an outlet encompassing attitude, commonly expressing wit or mockeries.

In Britain the Independent Group pioneered the movement through London. As a group of young artists and critics, they not only restored the use of pop-culture in fine arts but also fostered famous artists such as Eduardo Paolozzi. Though the most popular Pop Artists are those like Warhol and Lichtenstein, Richard Hamilton of London was one of the first Pop Artists when the movement began in Britain during the fifties. Heading “Popism” in America was Robert Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns. Rauschenberg worked to unify materials and events in American daily life, one of the key aspects of Pop Art. Throughout time, these Pop Artists have produced some of the most recognized and famous pieces representing cultures around the world.