Tracing its roots to the 1950s, Pop Art emerged during the rapid proliferation of post-WWII prosperity, as an appreciation and rethinking of material culture in the UK and United States. In such an era of mass production and communication, there was a desire for a new visual language that celebrated the period’s rejuvenated hope and abundance. What resulted was a burst of vibrant imagery, a quintessentially colourful and frenzied iconography that mirrored the fervent energy of mass culture.
Recognized as the neo-Dada movement, Pop Art was both an elevation of the mundane and a revolt against the elitism of the art institution. Their successors today take a more nuanced approach to contemporary society. After all, as counterculture becomes reified and the sheen of celebrity is diluted, it appears that nothing will ever be more shocking or subversive than the overwhelming influence of capital.
Iconoclast gathers the works of Demi Padua, Gabriel Dufourcq, Gaël Froget, Kostar, MadC, Jisbar, Yoshi Itu’, and Maria De Campos to explore the legacy of Pop Art, 70 years on.
Taking their inspiration from culture both old and new, and from the streets to the Gallery Space, the eclectic mix of works highlight each artist’s relationship to modern culture. From neon lights to colourful abstractions and vibrant visual collages, and from razor-sharp humour to methodical introspection, Iconoclast is a testament to the pervasive presence of consumerism in our daily lives. While once a signifier of economic growth after a period of hardship in the 50s, Neo-Pop Art today is a reflection and critique of saturation and obsession – and with a twist of irony, a significant contributor to contemporary pop culture.
Venue: Miaja Art Collections, 9, Muthuraman Chetty Road, APS Building, Level 2, Singapore, 238931
When: 10 Dec 2019 - 1 Feb 2020,
By: MA Collections | Miaja Gallery
