Pop art Facts for Kids

An example of a graphic style often used by Andy Warhol

A pop art painting

A pop art style dress for The Supremes

Pop art is an exciting modern art style. It became popular in the 1950s and 1960s. This art movement started in London in 1952. It was created by a Scottish sculptor and artist named Eduardo Paolozzi. Some very famous pop artists include Andy Warhol, Robert Indiana, and Roy Lichtenstein.

Pop art uses ideas and methods from popular things around us. This includes things like advertising and comic books. Instead of fancy, "high art" images, pop art uses pictures from everyday life.

How Pop Art Started
How Pop Artists Made Their Art
Famous Pop Artists
Images for kids
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How Pop Art Started

The Pop art movement began with a group called the Independent Group (IG). They formed in London in 1951. This group was made up of young painters, sculptors, writers, and critics. They wanted to challenge old ideas about art and culture.

The group often talked about popular culture. They discussed things like advertisements, movies, and comic strips. They also looked at science fiction and new technology.

In 1952, Eduardo Paolozzi gave a special talk. He showed a series of collages he had made. He called them Bunk!. These collages used "found objects" like ads, comic book characters, and magazine covers. Most of these images came from American popular culture.

One of his collages, I was a Rich Man's Plaything (1947), was very important. It was the first time the word "pop" was used in art. It appeared in a cloud of smoke from a gun! After Paolozzi's presentation, the Independent Group focused even more on American popular culture and advertising.

How Pop Artists Made Their Art

Pop artists often used machines to make their art. They also used techniques that made it look less like it was drawn by hand. This made the art feel more like something mass-produced.

Pop artists wanted their work to be very clear. Many shapes and objects had thick black lines around them, just like in comic books. The objects often looked flat, like a poster. They usually did not have much depth or perspective. The colors they used were bright, clear, and basic.

Artists would take everyday objects and show them in new ways. Sometimes they would put them into collages. Pop art connects real life with art, often using abstract ideas. Some words that describe pop art are: popular, easy to buy, cheap, funny, and eye-catching.

Pop art and minimalism are seen as the last major modern art movements. They helped lead the way for new art styles that came after them.