By Darla McCammon
and DeeAnna Muraski
Guest Columnists
WARSAW — American art, during the early and late 1950s, was immersed in abstract expressionism mainly as an outlet for what was happening in America. However, there were two artists who strongly resisted the thought of artists expressing themselves in art. The first we touched on last week, Roy Lichtenstein, and the second is Andy Warhol.
Lichtenstein spent most of his life in New York. While Lichtensten did not want to portray his subjective emotions on canvas, he encouraged an emotional reaction to art. Since serving in World War II, from 1943-1946, as a draftsman and artist in the Army, many of his comic depictions reflect war elements: nurses, bombings and military aircraft.
Lichtenstein is most famous for his Ben Day Dot art technique, which was inspired by his two boys. The color dot technique was developed in the late 1800s and involves overlaying four colors of dots to create shading or variety of color. Lichtenstein did not create the technique, but his boys reminded him of it and inspired him to adapt it for his large-scale paintings. The dots could also be easily reproduced mechanically through a perforated template or screen printing.
Lichtenstein passed away in 1997 a few years after his affair with a young woman 46 years his junior. He was survived by his second wife and two sons from his first marriage. His work continues to have enduring significance and signature style, with his painting titled “Masterpiece” garnering a record $165 million at auction in 2017.
Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol, born Andrew Warhola, were masters of blending marketing, art and consumerism. Like Lichtenstein, Warhol spent most of his life in New York. They shared many of the same philosophies and desire to elevate and create something new. Warhol was dubbed the “Pope of Pop Art” although his personal lifestyle was not practicing Christianity, and he was openly gay. He is best known for his brilliant celebrity photographic silkscreen overlays. Two of the most famous are of Marilyn Monroe and the pop artist Prince. He is also famous for his depiction of the Campbell’s iconic red-and-white soup can label replicated onto canvas 200 times. As a tribute to his distaste for expressionism, the painting is devoid of any internal projection by the artist. He created the nod to commercial packaging by using synthetic polymer paint on canvas. His painting “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn” sold for $195 million in 2022, which currently holds the record for the highest amount paid at auction for an American artist’s painting.
While both artists have passed on, Warhol at a young 58 due to a surgery — after previously surviving an assassination attempt — they gave a gift to America through their unique bent on art that is internationally acclaimed.
Places To Go
Artist Guild: The Fort Wayne Artist Guild has opened a new location at Jefferson Point. You will find a variety of art to look at and buy next to Eddie Bauer in Fort Wayne. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery: Artist Brenda Ramseier is showcasing her years of experience as an art teacher. You can view her whimsical, beautiful artwork at the City Hall, located at 102 S. Buffalo St., downtown Warsaw. The exhibits are on the first floor, and the building is handicapped-accessible. The hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also learn more about Ramseier at her website, theartgiraffe.com.
Darla McCammon is an artist, columnist and author. DeeAnna Muraski is executive director of Operation Read USA Inc. Send an email to the mother/daughter team at either [email protected] or [email protected].
