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Ed Ruscha Photography

American, b. 1937

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.

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Artist: Ed Ruscha
Ed Ruscha, Various Small Fires and Milk - Pop Art, Conceptual Art, Artist's Book
By Ed Ruscha
Located in Hamburg, DE
Ed Ruscha (American, b.1937) Various Small Fires and Milk, 1964/1970 Medium: Artist’s book (48 pages), glassine dust jacket Dimensions: 17.8 x 14.2 cm Second edition (1970): 3000 unn...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Ed Ruscha Photography

Materials

Paper

Some Los Angeles Apartments - Artist Book published in a limited edition of 3000
By Ed Ruscha
Located in New York, NY
Ed Ruscha Some Los Angeles Apartments, 1970 Softback monograph with stiff wraps Second Edition Limited Edition of 3000 (the first edition in 1968 was 700) 7 × 5 1/2 inches Accompanie...
Category

1970s Pop Art Ed Ruscha Photography

Materials

Paper, Mixed Media, Lithograph, Offset

Vacant Lots
By Ed Ruscha
Located in London, GB
Signed, inscribed with date and numbered on reverse Four silver gelatin prints Image size: 22 x 22 inches each Paper size: 29 1/4 x 29 inches each From an edition of 35
Category

1970s Ed Ruscha Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Five Views From The Panhandle
By Ed Ruscha
Located in New York, NY
Edition 28 of 30 Suite of five silver gelatin prints
Category

1960s Ed Ruscha Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Self Service, Milan, New Mexico
By Ed Ruscha
Located in New York, NY
Image Size: 10 1/4 x 10 inches Frame Size: 20 x 24 inches Signed, titled and dated on verso
Category

Ed Ruscha Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

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Ed Ruscha photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Ed Ruscha photography available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Ed Ruscha in paper, silver gelatin print, lithograph and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the Pop Art style. Not every interior allows for large Ed Ruscha photography, so small editions measuring 6 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Andrew Unangst, Robert Longo, and Michael Childers. Ed Ruscha photography prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,000 and tops out at $1,540, while the average work can sell for $1,270.
Questions About Ed Ruscha Photography
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Ed Ruscha is a multi-medium contemporary artist who has widely been hailed as an important player in the Pop Art movement. You can shop a selection of Ed Ruscha’s pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Ed Ruscha is famous for his text paintings made during the 1960s. The American conceptual and Pop art artist was born on December 16, 1937, in Omaha, Nebraska. On 1stDibs, you can shop a collection of Ed Ruscha textual art.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024
    Ed Ruscha's art style is Pop art. He is especially well known for elevating words and signage into works of art. 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 abstract, with ambiguous, free-floating phrases pinned to natural vistas, scenes of highways and monochrome backgrounds. Shop a variety of Ed Ruscha art on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 14, 2024
    The Sand in the Vaseline from Ed Ruscha is the name of a work of art. Ruscha produced the piece by painting the words "sand in the vaseline" in egg yolk on gray satin. His goal in producing the painting was to evoke feelings of confusion in the viewer. When asked about his motives, he responded, "Isn't disorientation one of the best things about making art?" Find a range of Ed Ruscha art on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Ed Ruscha made his well-known collage art by combining words and images from advertisements and other pieces of media. He often incorporated found items and unconventional materials like blood, liquid medicine and food. You'll find a selection of Ed Ruscha art on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Yes, Ed Ruscha is a conceptual artist. His work also shows elements of Pop art. However, the artist does not associate his own work with either movement. He is well known for his text paintings first produced during the 1960s. Find a variety of Ed Ruscha on 1stDibs.

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