Ed RuschaIf, from: Etc.; If; South; Question & Answer1991
1991
About the Item
- Creator:Ed Ruscha (1937, American)
- Creation Year:1991
- Dimensions:Height: 15.01 in (38.1 cm)Width: 18 in (45.7 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU18010147202
Ed Ruscha
Indisputably one of the most iconic American artists of the 20th century, Ed Ruscha has built a formidable body of work by staking a claim on the deceptively simple intersection of text and image, superimposing elliptical phrases (or, often, single words) over West Coast landscapes to create prints and paintings that can be read instantaneously yet evade easy understanding.
Alongside artists like Robert Irwin and Billy Al Bengston, Ruscha was a pioneer of the 1960s Los Angeles art scene as part of the famed Ferus Gallery. His embrace of Hollywood vernacular and the open Western road have tied him as closely to the identity of L.A. art as Jackson Pollock is to that of New York.
Coming to California in 1956 at the age of 18, Ruscha intended to become a commercial painter but found himself drawn to fine art, over time being shaped by three galvanizing influences: Marcel Duchamp, Pop art and the movies.
Meeting Duchamp when the Pasadena Art Museum (now the Norton Simon Museum) hosted the French Conceptual artist's first U.S. show, Ruscha was especially affected by his use of "readymade" objects and imagery, rendered unfamiliar through unexpected titles or text. Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup can paintings, meanwhile, were shown for the first time at the Ferus Gallery in 1962, opening up new vistas for Ruscha. Movies, then, provided another inspiration through their use of title cards, placing graphic text over filmic shots — The End, for instance — for maximum impact.
Ruscha began his famous series of word paintings in the 1960s, depicting various views of the Hollywood sign and the logos of studios like 20th Century Fox, but also roadside views like the Standard Oil stations dotting L.A.'s freeways. Over time these became more abstracted, pinning ambiguous, free-floating phrases (Wall Rockets is a famous example) to natural vistas, scenes of highways, or monochrome backgrounds. Beginning in about 1980, the artist began using a sharp font he designed himself, called Boy Scout Utility Modern.
A master printmaker who also works across the mediums of books, drawing, photography and even film — in 2009 he starred in a movie directed by the artist Doug Aitken — Ruscha has been an influence on a staggering array of artists, including Stephen Shore, Christopher Wool and Anselm Kiefer.
Ruscha's work has been featured in dozens of exhibitions around the world, including "Ed Ruscha: 50 Years of Painting" at London's Hayward Gallery (2009), "Ed Ruscha: Made in Los Angeles" at Madrid's Reina Sofia in 2002, a 2000 retrospective at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, a survey of his works-on-paper at the J. Paul Getty Museum in 1998, and a 1982 retrospective that traveled to the Whitney Museum. In 2005 he represented the United States at the 51st Venice Biennale, and in 2009 he received a National Arts Award.
Find a collection of original Ed Ruscha lithographs and other art for sale on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: london, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- A Pale Angel’s Halo, from: Reality and ParadoxesBy James RosenquistLocated in London, GBJAMES ROSENQUIST 1933-1917 Grand Forks, North Dakota 1933 – 1917 New York (American) Title: A Pale Angel’s Halo, from: Reality and Paradoxes, 1973 Technique: Original Hand Signed, ...Category
1970s Pop Art More Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- VanishBy Ed RuschaLocated in London, GBThis original screenprint in colours is hand signed in pencil “E. Ruscha” at the lower left sheet edge. It is dated “1973” next to the signature. It is also hand inscribed in pencil ‘Artist...Category
1970s Pop Art More Prints
MaterialsScreen
- Poetry, from: Poetry La Poésie - British Art Title PageBy Henry MooreLocated in London, GBThis original lithograph is hand signed by the artist in pencil with his initials "H.M" at the lower right margins. The work was printed as part of the portfolio "La Poesie" that inc...Category
1970s More Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- CompositionBy Mikhail LarionovLocated in London, GBMIKHAIL LARIONOV 1881-1964 Tiraspol 1881 - Fontenay-Aux-Roses/Paris 1964 (Russian) Title: Composition, 1923 Technique: Original Lithograph in Colours on paper size: 50 x 34 cm / 1...Category
1920s Contemporary More Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Question & Answer, from: Etc.; If; South; Question & AnswerBy Ed RuschaLocated in London, GBED (Edward) RUSCHA (born 1937) 1937 Omaha, Nebraska (American) Title: Question & Answer, from: Etc.; If; South; Question & Answer, 1991 Technique: Original Hand Signed, Dated a...Category
1990s Contemporary More Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- The Admiral’s BallBy Raoul DufyLocated in London, GBRAOUL DUFY 1877-1953 Le Havre 1877-1953 Forcalquier (French) Title: The Admiral’s Ball Le Bal chez l'amiral, ca. 1925 Technique: Original Hand Signed and Numbered Lithograph on Wove Paper Paper size: 32.5 x 39.5 cm. / 12.8 x 15.6 in. Image size: 20.5 x 29 cm. / 8.1 x 11.4 in. Additional Information: This original lithograph is hand signed in pencil by the artist "R Dufy...Category
1920s Post-Impressionist More Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Roy Lichtenstein Girl from 1¢ LifeBy Roy LichtensteinLocated in Washington, DCArtist: Roy Lichtenstein Title: Girl Portfolio: 1¢ Life Medium: Lithograph on white wove paper Date: 1963 Edition: 2000 Frame Size: 20 3/4" x 18 5/8" Sheet Size: 16 1/4" x 11 1/2" Im...Category
1960s Pop Art Portrait Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- The Fan and its Surroundings, from the Global Editions SeriesBy Ed RuschaLocated in London, GBLithograph on Rives BFK paper, torn and deckle edgesCategory
Late 20th Century Pop Art Abstract Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- 1982 Basquiat Rome announcement (Jean-Michel Basquiat 1982)By Jean-Michel BasquiatLocated in NEW YORK, NYBasquiat Rome 1982: Rare, highly sought-after original catalog/exhibition card to Basquiat's 1982 Rome show at Galleria Mario Diacono, Italy. Opening to ...Category
1980s Pop Art Prints and Multiples
MaterialsOffset, Lithograph
- Return to Oz, psychedelic 1967 pop art vintage posterLocated in Spokane, WAOriginal poster: HEAD OUT TO OZ, artist: James McMullan. Size 24" x 37". Rolled, Not folded; very good to excellent lithograph condition. Year: ...Category
1960s Pop Art Figurative Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Mick Jagger III - Andy Warhol, Announcement card, Rolling Stones, Musician, PopBy (after) Andy WarholLocated in Knowle Lane, CranleighMick Jagger III - After Andy Warhol. In this print, Warhol incorporated solid abstract shapes to emphasize Jagger's features - here, focusing on the singer’s famous lips, along with...Category
1970s Pop Art Portrait Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- "Olympic Robe" Large colors lithographBy Jim DineLocated in San Francisco, CAThis artwork titled "Olympic Robe" From "Game of the XXIVth Olympic, Seoul" is an original colors lithograph on Wove paper by renown artist Jim Dine, b.1935. It is hand signed and nu...Category
Late 20th Century Pop Art Figurative Prints
MaterialsLithograph