KAWS BFF Companion (KAWS Blue BFF Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Blue BFF Companion (vinyl), new in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Monster companion (KAWS Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Boo Berry Monster: A highly collectible & super decorative KAWS art toy, featuring the
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS TAKE Blue (blue KAWS Take companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS TAKE (Blue) new & unopened in its original packaging. A standout KAWS figurative sculpture
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS BFF Blue (KAWS Blue BFF Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Blue BFF Companion (vinyl), new in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Holiday Companion Japan (KAWS black companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Black Holiday Companion (KAWS Mount Fuji Japan): This figurative vinyl sculpture features
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Holiday Companion (KAWS brown holiday companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS 'Holiday' Companion Seoul: This figurine was published by All Rights Reserved to commemorate
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS TIME OFF blue (KAWS Time Off companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS TIME OFF Blue: A highly decorative KAWS Companion featuring KAWS’ much popularized BFF
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS HOLIDAY Japan (KAWS brown companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Brown Holiday Companion (KAWS Mount Fuji Japan): This sold out figurine features KAWS
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS HOLIDAY Companion: set of 3 works (KAWS grey Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Holiday Companions: 2019: A curated set of 3 individual grey KAWS Companions new & unopened in
Resin, Vinyl
$1,160Sale Price|20% Off
H 13.4 in W 6.3 in D 5.12 in
KAWS - Take Figure - Blue Version _BFF Companion
By KAWS
Located in Dallas, TX
, the artist released his long anticipated KAWS Take Figure. The figure, which features a blue BFF
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS GONE & KAWS BFF Companions (set of 2 works)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS GONE Brown & KAWS Blue BFF Companions (set of 2 works 2017-2019): Medium: Vinyl paint & Cast
Resin, Vinyl
$500
H 23 in W 16.5 in D 0.1 in
Blue and Pink KAWS "Companion" NGV show posters Victoria Australia
By KAWS
Located in Draper, UT
2 show posters for KAWS museum show in Victoria Australia from a visit there 23" by 16.5" A pink
Magazine Paper
KAWS The Promise black (KAWS black Promise)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS The Promise (black): A unique KAWS Companion featuring a blue & green globe being
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS THE PROMISE (KAWS The Promise Grey)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS The Promise (grey): A unique KAWS Companion featuring a blue & green globe being
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS WHAT PARTY KAWS BFF (set of 2 works)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS WHAT PARTY White & Blue BFF Companion, set of 2 works: This set features KAWS Companion vinyl
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Japan Holiday Companion (KAWS brown Mount Fuji companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Brown Holiday Companion (KAWS Mount Fuji Japan): This sold out figurine features KAWS
Resin, Vinyl
$1,800
H 3 in W 9.4 in
KAWS Holiday Companion Japan complete set of 3 works (KAWS Mount Fuji Japan)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Holiday Companion Japan: Complete Set of 3 (KAWS Mount Fuji): This sold out complete set
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS BFF Blue Companion (KAWS Blue BFF Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Blue BFF Companion (vinyl), new in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS TAKE Blue (blue KAWS Take companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS TAKE (Blue) new & unopened in its original packaging. A standout KAWS figurative sculpture
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Holiday Companion Japan (KAWS black companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Black Holiday Companion (KAWS Mount Fuji Japan): This figurative vinyl sculpture features
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS BFF Blue Companion (KAWS Blue BFF Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Blue BFF Companion (vinyl), new in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS BFF Blue Companion (KAWS Blue BFF Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Blue BFF Companion (vinyl), new in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS BFF Blue Companion (KAWS Blue BFF Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Blue BFF Companion (vinyl), new in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS BFF Blue Companion (KAWS Blue BFF Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Blue BFF Companion (vinyl), new in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS BFF Companion (KAWS Blue BFF Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Blue BFF Companion (vinyl), new in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS BFF Blue (KAWS Blue BFF Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Blue BFF Companion (vinyl), new in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation
Resin
KAWS BFF Blue (KAWS Blue BFF Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Blue BFF Companion (vinyl), new in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation
Resin
KAWS BFF Blue (KAWS Blue BFF Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Blue BFF Companion (vinyl), new in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation
Resin
KAWS BFF Blue (KAWS Blue BFF Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Blue BFF Companion (vinyl), new in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation
Resin
KAWS BFF Blue (KAWS Blue BFF Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Blue BFF Companion (vinyl), new in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation
Resin
KAWS BFF Blue (KAWS Blue BFF Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Blue BFF Companion (vinyl), new in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation
Resin
KAWS BFF Blue (KAWS Blue BFF Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Blue BFF Companion (vinyl), new in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation
Resin
KAWS BFF Blue (KAWS Blue BFF Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Blue BFF Companion (vinyl), new in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation
Resin
KAWS BFF Blue (KAWS Blue BFF Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Blue BFF Companion (vinyl), new in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation
Resin
KAWS Monster companion (KAWS Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Boo Berry Monster: A highly collectible & super decorative KAWS art toy, featuring the famed
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS BFF Blue (Kaws BFF Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Blue BFF new, unopened in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation of Kaws
Resin
KAWS BFF Blue (Kaws BFF Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Blue BFF new, unopened in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation of Kaws
Resin
KAWS TAKE Blue (blue KAWS Take companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS TAKE (Blue) new & unopened in its original packaging. A standout KAWS figurative sculpture
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS TAKE Blue (blue KAWS Take companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS TAKE (Blue) new & unopened in its original packaging. A standout KAWS figurative sculpture
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS TAKE Blue (blue KAWS Take companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS TAKE (Blue) new & unopened in its original packaging. A standout KAWS figurative sculpture
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS TAKE Blue (blue KAWS Take companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Art. Art toys. Kaws Companion. Hebru Brantley. Banksy. Blue Kaws. Takashi Murakami. Supreme. Kaws Bff.
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS BFF Blue (KAWS Blue BFF Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Blue BFF Companion (vinyl), new in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Holiday Companion (KAWS brown companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS 'Holiday' Companion This figurine was published by All Rights Reserved to commemorate the
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Holiday Companion (KAWS brown companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS 'Holiday' Companion This figurine was published by All Rights Reserved to commemorate the
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS TAKE Blue (blue KAWS Take companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS TAKE (Blue) new & unopened in its original packaging. A standout KAWS figurative sculpture
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS BFF Blue (Kaws BFF Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Blue BFF new, unopened in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation of Kaws
Resin
KAWS BFF Blue (Kaws BFF Companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Blue BFF new, unopened in its original packaging. A well-received work and variation of Kaws
Resin
KAWS Holiday Companion Japan (KAWS black companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Black Holiday Companion (KAWS Mount Fuji Japan): This sold out figurine features KAWS
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Holiday Companion Japan (KAWS black companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Black Holiday Companion (KAWS Mount Fuji Japan): This sold out figurine features KAWS
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Holiday Companion Japan (KAWS black companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Black Holiday Companion (KAWS Mount Fuji Japan): This figurative vinyl sculpture features
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Holiday Companion Japan (KAWS black companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Black Holiday Companion (KAWS Mount Fuji Japan): This figurative vinyl sculpture features
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS TIME OFF blue (KAWS Time Off companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS TIME OFF Blue: A highly decorative KAWS Companion featuring KAWS’ much popularized BFF
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS TIME OFF blue (KAWS Time Off companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS TIME OFF Blue: A highly decorative KAWS Companion featuring KAWS’ much popularized BFF
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Japan Holiday Companion black (KAWS black companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Black Holiday Companion (KAWS Mount Fuji Japan): This sold out figurine features KAWS
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Holiday Companion
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS 'Holiday' Companion This figurine was published by All Rights Reserved to commemorate the
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Holiday Companion
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS 'Holiday' Companion This figurine was published by All Rights Reserved to commemorate the
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS Japan Holiday Companion (KAWS grey Mount Fuji companion)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Grey Holiday Companion (KAWS Mount Fuji Japan): This sold out figurine features KAWS
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS - Take Figure - Blue Version _BFF Companion
By KAWS
Located in Dallas, TX
a blue BFF holding a brown Companion, is the inverse of the KAWS Share Figure which shows a brown
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS GONE & KAWS BFF Companions (set of 2 works)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS GONE Brown & KAWS Blue BFF Companions (set of 2 works 2017-2019): Medium: Vinyl paint & Cast
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS The Promise black (KAWS black Promise)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS The Promise (black): A unique KAWS Companion featuring a blue & green globe being
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS THE PROMISE (KAWS The Promise Grey)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS The Promise (grey): A unique KAWS Companion featuring a blue & green globe being
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS The Promise (KAWS The Promise brown)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS The Promise (brown): A unique KAWS Companion featuring a blue & green globe being
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS The Promise (KAWS The Promise brown)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS The Promise (brown): A unique KAWS Companion featuring a blue & green globe being
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS The Promise (KAWS The Promise brown)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS The Promise (brown): A unique KAWS Companion featuring a blue & green globe being
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS The Promise black (KAWS black Promise)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS The Promise (black): A unique KAWS Companion featuring a blue & green globe being
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS THE PROMISE (KAWS The Promise Grey)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS The Promise (grey): A unique KAWS Companion featuring a blue & green globe being
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS, The Promise (Black), 2022
By KAWS
Located in Manchester, GB
original box KAWS The Promise (black): A unique KAWS Companion featuring a blue & green globe being
Resin, Vinyl
KAWS, The Promise (Black), 2022
By KAWS
Located in Manchester, GB
original box Open unknown edition Unsigned KAWS The Promise (black): A unique KAWS Companion featuring a
Resin, Vinyl
$3,600
H 29 in W 23 in
Keith Haring Fun Gallery exhibition poster 1983 (vintage Keith Haring)
By Keith Haring
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Keith Haring Fun Gallery 1983: Original 1983 Keith Haring illustrated exhibition poster published on the occasion of Haring's historic 1983 show at the Fun Gallery in the East Villag...
Lithograph, Offset
$140 / item
H 1.75 in W 1 in D 0.25 in
Carl Auböck Handcrafted Midcentury Brass Heart Figurine Key Ring Chain Holder
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist heart keyring / keyholder / keychain, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s. Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and m...
Brass
$13,328
H 10.63 in W 5.91 in
Amelia -- Lenticular, Woman Figure, Moving, Pop Art by Julian Opie
By Julian Opie
Located in London, GB
Amelia, 2018 Julian Opie Lenticular acrylic panel comprised of four inkjet prints in colours, printed directly onto 20 lpi lenticular animating lenses, back mounted with card From t...
Lenticular
$6,000
H 8 in W 5.25 in
Keith Haring designed Martin Luther King Day announcement 1988
By Keith Haring
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Invitation for Martin Luther King Day celebration 1988, designed by Keith Haring In 1988, 20 years after the death of Martin Luther King Jr., Keith Haring illustrated this rare invi...
Offset
$4,000
H 24 in W 18 in
Keith Haring Drawings poster 1982 (Keith Haring Tony Shafrazi gallery 1982)
By Keith Haring
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Keith Haring Tony Shafrazi Gallery 1982: The much historic early Keith Haring exhibition poster, illustrated by Haring on the occasion of: 'Keith Haring Drawings' Oct. 9 - Nov. 13 - ...
Lithograph, Offset
$5,500
H 6.5 in W 3.6 in
Exclusive Invitation Card to Andy Warhol Memorial Lunch from Estate of Tim Hunt
By Andy Warhol
Located in New York, NY
SUPER RARE! Invitation Card to private Andy Warhol Memorial Lunch, from the Estate of Tim Hunt, 1987 Offset lithograph card 6 1/2 × 3 3/5 inches Unframed This exclusive invitation to...
Lithograph, Offset
$2,200
H 8.5 in W 8 in
Keith Haring 1984 poster announcement (Keith Haring at Paul Maenz 1984)
By Keith Haring
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Keith Haring Galerie Paul Maenz, Cologne, Germany 1984: Super rare, tri-fold poster booklet published to announce Haring’s 1984 solo exhibition at Paul Maenz Gallery in Cologne (Hari...
Lithograph, Offset
$1,000
H 8.5 in W 11 in
Raymond Pettibon illustrated Punk flyer 1980 (Raymond Pettibon punk art)
By Raymond Pettibon
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Raymond Pettibon Punk Art 1980: Rare early Raymond Pettibon illustrated punk flyer published on the occasion of: The Dead Kennedys & Circle Jerks at The Whisky A Go Go: August, 1980....
Offset
Keith Haring Rain Dance 1985 (Keith Haring posters)
By Keith Haring
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Keith Haring Rain Dance 1985: RARE original 1980s Keith Haring illustrated poster announcement for a Keith Haring UNICEF benefit party at Larry Levan’s legendary Paradise Garage in 1...
Offset, Lithograph
Basquiat Gray 1980
By Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Jean-Michel Basquiat (untitled) Gray 1980: Basquiat illustrated & printed this exceptionally rare flyer for his band Gray in 1980. Executed similarly in the manner of his well-docum...
Offset, Lithograph
$1,280
H 12 in W 12 in D 2 in
VICTOR VASARELY - OEUVRES PROFONDES CINETIQUES VIII - 1973
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Pembroke Pines, FL
Artist: Victor Vasarely Title: Profound Works VIII Year: 1973 Not signed or numbered, as published Dimensions: 12 in. by 12 in. Framed Edition: From the Rare Limited Edition Publishe...
Screen
$400Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 23 in
Tomi Ungerer Nude Gun (Tomi Ungerer underground sketchbook)
By Tomi Ungerer
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Tomi Ungerer Nude Gun: a selection from Underground Sketchbook: First printing, 1965. Medium: Vintage poster. Dimensions: 23 in. x 29 in. (58.42 cm x 73.66 cm). Very good overall vi...
Lithograph, Offset
Keith Haring Resist in Concert! 1988
By Keith Haring
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Keith Haring Resist in Concert! 1988: Vintage Keith Haring illustrated 1988 poster for a Refuse and Resist produced concert December 4, 1988 at New York's Palladium nightclub. A rar...
Lithograph, Offset
Keith Haring Party of Life 1986 (Keith Haring Palladium 1986)
By Keith Haring
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Keith Haring Party of Life 1986 (Keith Haring birthday invite 1986): Rare original silkscreened t-shirt invitation to Keith Haring’s third annual Party of Life/1986 birthday, held a...
Screen, Cotton
UPSIDE DOWN TOO
By Romero Britto
Located in Aventura, FL
Hand signed and numbered screen print in colors with deckled edges. Edition of 100. Artwork is in excellent condition. Additional images are available upon request. Certificate o...
Paper, Screen
KAWS MONSTERS: set of 2 works (KAWS Companion set)
By KAWS
Located in NEW YORK, NY
KAWS Monsters (set of 2 works): A highly collectible & super decorative set of KAWS art toys, featuring the famed cereal characters: Frankenberry & Count Chocula. A playful explorat...
Resin, Vinyl
In the beginning, Brian Donnelly was just a kid from Jersey City, New Jersey, who got into the graffiti thing. KAWS was his tag, chosen simply because he liked the way it looked. Today, KAWS creates all kinds of art — there are KAWS figures and toys, sculptures and colorful drawings, paintings and prints that appropriate pop phenomena like the Smurfs, the Simpsons and SpongeBob SquarePants.
In the late 1990s, the artist, a 1996 graduate of New York’s School of Visual Arts, was making a living as an illustrator for the animation studio Jumbo Pictures. Like young Hansel and Gretel with their trail of crumbs, KAWS would mark the morning route to his downtown Manhattan office with “subvertising,” “interrupting” fashion advertisements by adding his colorful character Bendy, its sinuous length sliding playfully around the likes of a Calvin Klein perfume bottle or supermodel Christy Turlington.
These creations gained a following, to the point where work posted in the morning would disappear by lunchtime. Even in those early days, KAWS was hot on the resale market.
“When I was doing graffiti,” he once explained, “it meant nothing to me to make paintings if I wasn’t reaching people.”
Instead of seeking entrée to the elite New York art world (which, frankly, wasn’t looking for a street artist anyway), KAWS moved to Japan, where a flourishing youth culture welcomed visionaries like him.
In 1999, he partnered with Bounty Hunter, a Japanese toy and streetwear brand, to release his first toy. Companion — an eight-inch-tall vinyl reimagining of Mickey Mouse, with a skull-and-crossbones head and trademark XX eyes — debuted with a limited run of 500. It sold out quickly.
Companion was the first of more than 130 toy designs, which came to include such characters as Chum, Blitz, Be@rbrick, BFF and Milo, each immediately recognizable as KAWS figures by their XX eyes. Fans have proved insatiable. In 2017, MoMA’s online store announced the availability of a limited supply of KAWS Companion figures; as avid collectors logged on to stake their claim, the website crashed — multiple times.
Companion is the most visible of the KAWS posse, appearing over the past decade in new postures and combinations in monumental KAWS statues and other works. These include Along the Way (2013), an 18-foot-tall wooden sculpture of two Companions leaning on each other for support; Together (2016), two Companions in a friendly embrace, which debuted during an exhibition of KAWS’s work at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, in Texas; and KAWS:HOLIDAY (2018), a 92-foot-long inflatable Companion floating on its back in Seoul’s Seokchon Lake. The sculptures were re-created as toys, blurring the lines between art and commerce.
KAWS’s visual language may be drawn from cartoons, but his work doesn’t necessarily evoke childlike joy.
“My figures are not always reflecting the idealistic cartoon view that I grew up on,” he explains in the catalogue for the Fort Worth exhibition. “Companion is more real in dealing with contemporary human circumstances . . . . I think when I’m making work it also often mirrors what’s going on with me at that time.”
KAWS's résumé reads like a record of major 21st-century pop-culture moments. It includes his work with streetwear brands like A Bathing Ape and Supreme; his design for the cover of Kanye West’s 2008 album, 808s & Heartbreak; and his collaboration with designer Kim Jones on the Dior Homme Spring/Summer 2019 collection, Jones’s debut as the fashion brand’s creative director.
Learn how to spot a fake KAWS art toy, and browse authentic KAWS figures, prints, sculptures and mixed media works on 1stDibs.
Perhaps one of the most influential contemporary art movements, Pop art emerged in the 1950s. In stark contrast to traditional artistic practice, its practitioners drew on imagery from popular culture — comic books, advertising, product packaging and other commercial media — to create original Pop art paintings, prints and sculptures that celebrated ordinary life in the most literal way.
ORIGINS OF POP ART
CHARACTERISTICS OF POP ART
POP ARTISTS TO KNOW
ORIGINAL POP ART ON 1STDIBS
The Pop art movement started in the United Kingdom as a reaction, both positive and critical, to the period’s consumerism. Its goal was to put popular culture on the same level as so-called high culture.
Richard Hamilton’s 1956 collage Just what is it that makes today’s homes so different, so appealing? is widely believed to have kickstarted this unconventional new style.
Pop art works are distinguished by their bold imagery, bright colors and seemingly commonplace subject matter. Practitioners sought to challenge the status quo, breaking with the perceived elitism of the previously dominant Abstract Expressionism and making statements about current events. Other key characteristics of Pop art include appropriation of imagery and techniques from popular and commercial culture; use of different media and formats; repetition in imagery and iconography; incorporation of mundane objects from advertisements, cartoons and other popular media; hard edges; and ironic and witty treatment of subject matter.
Although British artists launched the movement, they were soon overshadowed by their American counterparts. Pop art is perhaps most closely identified with American Pop artist Andy Warhol, whose clever appropriation of motifs and images helped to transform the artistic style into a lifestyle. Most of the best-known American artists associated with Pop art started in commercial art (Warhol made whimsical drawings as a hobby during his early years as a commercial illustrator), a background that helped them in merging high and popular culture.
Roy Lichtenstein was another prominent Pop artist that was active in the United States. Much like Warhol, Lichtenstein drew his subjects from print media, particularly comic strips, producing paintings and sculptures characterized by primary colors, bold outlines and halftone dots, elements appropriated from commercial printing. Recontextualizing a lowbrow image by importing it into a fine-art context was a trademark of his style. Neo-Pop artists like Jeff Koons and Takashi Murakami further blurred the line between art and popular culture.
Pop art rose to prominence largely through the work of a handful of men creating works that were unemotional and distanced — in other words, stereotypically masculine. However, there were many important female Pop artists, such as Rosalyn Drexler, whose significant contributions to the movement are recognized today. Best known for her work as a playwright and novelist, Drexler also created paintings and collages embodying Pop art themes and stylistic features.
Read more about the history of Pop art and the style’s famous artists, and browse the collection of original Pop art paintings, prints, photography and other works for sale on 1stDibs.