We can't leave the topic of food without paying homage to Pop Art.
A familiar genre of art that we can all relate to – what a relief that must have been coming after the seemingly unfathomable work of the preceding Abstract Expressionist era.
Pop Art was championed by American artists like Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, James Ruscha and James Rosenquist and British artists like Peter Blake, Eduardo Paolozzi and Richard Hamilton. It became a 'thing' in the 1950's, a celebration of postwar prosperity and consumerism. Artists found aesthetic charm in common objects and elevated them through iconic images, rejecting traditional artistic ideals. Many of the key artists of the group, certainly Warhol, Ruscha and Rosenquist came from a commercial art background so their work reflects the economy and impact of advertising imagery. Challenging to the art establishment of the day, it directly confronted art snobbery by producing work that everyone understood and could afford (reproductions that is!).
Grayson Perry was on Radio 4 recently discussing art/culture snobbery and he recalled receiving his Turner prize in 2003 dressed as his alter ego Claire – he said no one was at all bothered about his female attire but that there was shock horror at the thought that pottery could win such a high honour!
We recently heard about the death of Jack Vettriano an artist who achieved huge commercial success in his lifetime but never won the respect of art critics.
What do you think about art snobbery?
Do you have something that you absolutely love but are a bit embarrassed about – a guilty pleasure perhaps?
Do you think art should be for everyone or do you think the elitist aspect adds to it's appeal?
