Pop Art and Iconography
Campbell’s Soup Cans, Andy Warhol (1953-1967) at MoMA
Pop Art relies heavily on Iconography, whether it's an iconic brand / logo (think Campbell’s) or an iconic figure (think Marilyn Monroe). Andy Warhol exemplifies this avenue of Pop Art, and it may leave you wondering if there's any room for more exploration in this highly niched art category. The answer is a resounding YES! There is ALWAYS room for exploration. This type of Pop Art is inherently derivative, so worry less about whether someone has captured a brand or logo or person before and think more about how to add your own voice to your chosen subject matter.
Campbell's Soup Can (Tomato), Andy Warhol (1962) at MoMA
WHY DOES THE SOUP CAN WORK?
The soup can is at once iconic and commonplace. Everyone recognizes it, and sees it in their daily life at the grocery store if not in their own kitchen. It takes something somewhat mundane (which is also comforting) and gives it importance and prominence. And just as importantly, Andy Warhol loved canned soup! He was said to have had a can of soup for lunch every day for 20 years. In fact, this series as well as his series of money paintings came from being asked what he loved most by Muriel Latow, interior designer and gallery owner. When he mentioned MONEY as an answer, she suggested that he paint dollar bills. She thought he should paint something else he loved that was simple and recognizable - soup. This theme of make what you love follows for more of his subjects: Coca-Cola (which he had daily with his soup) and movie stars. In other words, choose something meaningful to you. Something you love. The love will come through in your art.
ICONIC FIGURES
Andy Warhol's love of celebrities led to some iconic imagery of his own. From Marilyn Monroe to Elvis to Queen Elizabeth, he brought a specific and recognizable style to these portraits. Once again, he chose subjects that were so iconic that it didn't matter if they were pink or yellow or cyan, everyone recognized them and knew who they were.
Portraits of Queen Elizabeth II from The Royal Edition, Andy Warhol (1985)
WHERE CAN POP ART GO FROM HERE?
I recently traveled to Italy and stumbled across two Pop Art examples that put their own twist on these Warhol pieces. The first was in JFK Airport, before I'd properly embarked. On the side of the LEGO store in the airport was LEGO minifig Marilyn Monroe in four color schemes, made entirely of LEGO. It gave me a proper chuckle (as Pop Art has a tendency to do), and my kids were transfixed. This piece works so well because the the Warhol piece is so iconic, and because the voice is so clearly LEGO, an iconic brand in its own right.
Minifigure Marilyn art at JFK Airport, designed and hand built from 24,550 bricks over 192 hours by The LEGO Group
Italia Spray Can, Mr. Brainwash (2019)
BRINGING POP ART HOME
My favorite Pop Art moment was in a small gallery in a small town along a small lake about an hour from Milan. I had spent the previous day exploring the city of Milan, and was so struck by the street art there. It felt like such a vibrant and celebrated part of the city. Mr. Brainwash, a street artist who had a large exhibition in Milan a few years ago, made a tomato can series of his own, using the empty spray paint cans from his street art work. This tomato spray series captured my heart big time for its fresh take on the soup can and the connection to the artist's origins as a street artist. As a personal connection, having married into an Italian family, it makes me think of the endless cans of tomato products (paste, crushed, etc) that we use to make our own tomato sauce. I couldn't resist this Italia Tomato Spray Can, and I brought it home with me as a memory from my trip. I love that it adds a lighthearted, comforting moment in my home. I’ll be sharing more this month about how to incorporate a bit of Pop Art into any style of home for a moment of levity and fun.
I can’t wait to get a proper mounting display for this spray can!
As for my own explorations, I have quite a few in the works! I'm working on a few pieces featuring iconic items for the Gallery Show at the end of July, and I hope to leave myself some time to play around with what I might bring to the lowly yet Pop-Art-elevated soup can. If soup doesn’t make you smile, are there any pantry staples that you love that you think could use the Pop Art treatment? Maybe you love pickles! Or olives! Can’t keep your spoon out of the peanut butter jar? See how a Pop Art exploration into your favorite items can transform them and bring a smile to your face. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
