WHO is the godfather of English POP art, known for WHICH famous cover of WHAT famous record album by WHAT incredibly influential rock band?
Raise your hands if you know Peter Blake (b. 1932). If you do – read on. If you don’t – read on anyway (and then read this).
Since his emergence in the early 60s as a key member of the burgeoning Pop Art movement, Peter Blake has been one of the best-known British artists of his generation and was knighted three years ago. His 1961 Self-portrait With Badges, where he stands in his denim jeans and jacket, wearing Converse trainers and holding an Elvis album, is one of the iconic images of the time, but Blake’s reputation from the outset, reflecting his broad art education, was based on working across media. He has produced collage, sculpture, engraving and printmaking, as well as commercial art in the form of graphics and, notably, album covers, significantly, his design for The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper’s in 1967.
Sir Peter, is now having a “World Tour” exhibition which, thanks to Peter Sis, I learned is opening on April 14 (though June 18) at the Mary Ryan Gallery (527 West 26th Street, New York). The show will feature ten collages on paper and canvas depicting New York, Paris, Los Angeles, Venice and Tokyo. The work in the exhibition represents an exploration into digital technology and introduces a new monumentalism to his art.
The artist who altered the practice of designing record albums in his 30s, continues to push through creative doors as he nears his 80s.
(Image below bottom is his Typographic Tapestry or Pop Art meets Typography)
(See O-Man episode on Weekend Daily Heller here.)
