Pop Art: Tributes to Icons

The mid-1950s saw one of the most iconic phases in the history of art, a phase that never died and flipped the definition of “art” on its head. What was that movement?… POP ART! Pop art challenged the traditions of fine art by using imagery from comic strips, pop culture, and mundane objects. The colors were bright, the images were recognizable and relatable, and the art often had a sense of irony or satire. These elements remain strong through the works of many contemporary artists, in their original works and through references. See Eden’s exclusive artists’ homage to pop art, visit our collection here!

Alec Monopoly

Alec Monopoly’s colorful, unconventional style appeals to the masses as bright illustrations of societal satire. Materials like newspaper clippings, spray paint, stencils and varnish bring his vision to life as street murals, sculptures, and on canvas.

Monopoly’s utilization of well-known cartoon mascots such as Uncle Pennybags and Scrooge McDuck are meant to challenge and undermine capitalism in modern society and pop culture.

Some of his work portrays these cartoons in difficult or confrontational settings. Despite this, Monopoly has stated that his work simply places these characters in contemporary situations; the message is not to bash but to embrace. For instance, Uncle Pennybags was originally meant to be a representation of notorious Ponzi financier, Bernie Madoff.

Experience Alec Monopoly’s artistic statements in Eden Gallery’s exclusive fine art collection here.

David Kracov

The artistic genius David Kracov has shown and sold his work around the world. His fluttering butterflies and artistic homages have touched the souls of his international audience. Colorful and contemporary, every piece tells a story.

Keith Haring was one of the leading figures in the American pop-art movement. He is most well-known for his illustrations of figures and symbols. His white chalk drawings decorated public spaces and subways around New York City. Between his artistic endeavors and social activism, he has left a large imprint on the history and the accessibility of fine art.

“During one visit to New York when I was about thirteen or fourteen, I had the once-in-a-lifetime stroke of luck to be in the subway and see Keith Haring painting one of his murals on the platform walls. It is one thing to see an artist’s work that you admire in a gallery, museum, or installation, but words cannot describe the experience to actually see that same artist create in person. To this day this memory sticks out clear in my mind.” – David Kracov

Glimpse into David Kracov’s unique artworks and creative homages to his favorite artists here.

Angelo Accardi

Angelo Accardi’s unique surreal landscapes take inspiration from centuries of fine art from around the world. You may have noticed that many of his paintings incorporate vertical stripes of varying colors, but what you may not have known is that these skies are an homage to the American pop artist Gene Davis.

Davis’s color field paintings were iconic of the 50s and 60s abstract movements. By the 1970s Davis became a household name, having already been awarded for his completion of the world’s largest artwork, as well as the world’s largest painting.

Angelo Accardi chooses to incorporate Gene Davis’s larger than life artistic style within the largest spaces of his own canvas. His colorful stripes cross the skies of Northern Italy and Japan, representing the cross-cultural effect of fine art. Art has no boundaries, art speaks to all. Accardi communicates his vision through homages to the great master before him.

Explore Angelo Accardi’s full collection and see how many artistic references you can find here.

Plum

Contemporary artist Plum takes his name from the colorful, patterned arrangement of feathers that cover the body of a bird. Aptly chosen, his name is emblematic of the work he produces. Vibrant and creative, Plum’s art is a feathered fantasy remaining true to his uniquely contemporary aesthetic while paying tribute to artists around the world.

One of the most iconic American pop artists, Robert Indiana, has left his mark on fine art worldwide with his bold, impactful images and sculptures. Plum dedicates his ‘LOVE’ and ‘HOPE’ artworks to Indiana. A message that is still needed in these turbulent times, Plum’s artwork connects with individuals cross-culturally. Bold, simple, and iconic, this work of art will never go out of style.

See Plum’s feathered artworks here.

F&G

The cartoonist duo F&G use their three-dimensional illustrations to capture the essence of urban society with their unique combination of styles, materials, and artistic references. Using the base of their “Pitchou” sculpture, a word meaning “cutie” in French, these two artists paint referential imagery to make different impressions on the viewer.

One artist often referenced by F&G is Roy Lichtenstein. Lichtenstein is credited for turning comic strips into an art form. He described his own work as industrial painting and is most famous for his hallmark use of ben-day dots. The artist produced compositions resembling comic strips that parodied contemporary culture often in a tongue-in-cheek manner, comparable to F&G’s particular style.

Discover F&G’s imaginative tributes and one-of-a-kind art collaborations here.

Pop Art Collection

An expansion of abstract expressionism, pop-art encouraged a deeper dive into answering the question of “what is art.” By utilizing varied materials and common imagery, pop art became immediately recognizable and relatable to audiences across the globe. Pop art’s unabashed confrontation of preconceived notions of art continued to be exemplified by Eden’s artists today.

Check out our full fine art collection here