Pop art, which first emerged in the 1950s as a way to challenge traditional art forms, is still making waves more than half a century after it first exploded onto the scene. Soulard Art Gallery is celebrating the style’s ongoing impact over the next few weeks with POP! Goes the Easel 2, a juried art exhibit featuring more than 60 works. The exhibition is free to the public and runs from June 23 through July 28.
Pop art traditionally incorporates recognizable images and icons from popular media—for example, Ruth Bader Ginsburg rendered in an oversize black-and-white portrait, one of exhibition co-curator Jay Thompson’s favorite pieces from the show. While pop art still follows many of the same values it was built upon, like any other art form, it looks different today.
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“When people generally think about pop art, it’s Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein and people from the ‘60s that kind of developed the original pop art style; however, that has evolved and changed over time,” says Thompson, who is also one of 13 resident artists at Soulard Art Gallery. “That’s why we changed our definition to include pop culture, like artwork that is seen more on the web [on] Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp…art [is] very much driven by web applications.”
The POP! Goes the Easel 2 call for art brought in more than 100 pieces from more than 70 artists. The curators went through dozens of applications including photos of various artwork, and narrowed it down to the 63 pieces of pop art on display.
“It’s a very wide assortment of styles and techniques that are being displayed,” Thompson says. “A show like POP! Goes the Easel is very broad, and subject matters are all over the place.” Alongside Ginsburg, visitors may recognize figures such as Madonna and David Bowie, as well as nostalgic mass-produced products such as lawn flamingos and CD players.
The event debuted with an opening reception and awards ceremony on June 23, where six awards were given. An Award of Excellence went to Mark Oakley, for his piece “Of Course I Know What I’m Doing.” Two Awards of Merit were distributed to Justin Fitts, for his piece “YardBirds,” and Kimberlyn Renee, for her work, “Renaissance.” The Curator’s Choice Award was given to Sihn Starr Cartia, for the piece “Victor loves Vincent.” Sam Huttnyk and Isabel Flick took home Honorable Mentions for their respective works, “Distorted Madonna” and “Jesus Dies on the Cross.”
POP! Goes the Easel 2 not only brought together a wide variety of artwork, but also experiences. “It was quite interesting because the exhibition is just full of gay and trans [art] and just art of all types, says Thompson. “Our shows are interesting to begin with, but this gave it a whole different flavor.”
Visitors are welcome to purchase pieces of art at any time during gallery hours, and artists will personally retain 100 percent of sales for pieces sold. Gallery hours are Thursdays 4-8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 12-8 p.m. and Sundays 1-5 p.m.
“The point is to come and enjoy the art, react with other artists, perhaps buy some work and generally have a good time,” Thompson says.
