1950's and 1960's pop culture in USA and Britain

The 1950’s and 1960’s in the USA and Great Britain was an era generally surrounded by sub-cultures including the promotion of the teenager, politics, and consumer cultures.

In post world war II, the USA was more financially stable than Great Britain, and the majority of Europe. The united States issued a loan to aid in the recovery of Britain, for which the loan was eventually repaid in 2006. British rationing continued all the way up until 1954, and so because of this the promotion of European consumerism was postponed, unlike America where there was no rationing at this time. Such exotic items such as bananas, coconuts etc, were hard to get a hold of in the years following after the war. This was also the era in which there was a great emphasis around the American dream. After a devastated post war Europe, many European refugees, and those that lost everything in a war ravaged Europe, looked to ‘the land of opportunity’ as a way to begin a new life. It was the era in which there was mass migration to the United States.

It was also the era in which the television was introduced to a variety of markets around the world, however this research will focus on the introduction to the television in the USA and Great Britain. The television

The topic that this essay research will focus on, is Pop art. Pop art was an art movement which emerged during the 1950’s and 1960’s in the western world, and generally used a lot of bright colours, The movement also makes use of cultural themes that were happening at the time, referring to such themes as television culture, celebrity culture, and advertisements. This use of themes can be seen be seen in figures 1,2&3.

For example artists such as Richard Hamilton, Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein all experimented with this art style. The style is often characterised by the distinct use of colour, as well as shapes, layers and patterns. Below the research highlights a very famous cultural piece by Richard Hamilton (figure 1).1

Figure 1

This image is interesting, as it highlights a lot of elements from popular culture at the time of the 50’s and 60’s. You can see the male and female form, as well as a television, which at the time was being introduced to consumers. Also, there is a reference to advertising on the staircase, a woman hoovering with a caption quoting

“Ordinary cleaners reach only this far” - extract from figure 1

As well as the reference to advertising, the fact that there is a woman operating the hoover, also seems to raise questions about sexism, and women’s roles in society. In the 1950's and 60's, women were seen as lesser equals, to their male counterparts. A woman's role was often seen as being in such places as the kitchen, cooking and cleaning for their husbands, (if they had one).

Another example of pop art in this era, is a piece by Andy Warhol, who was born in 1928. The document will highlight this image below this text.2

Figure 2

This image features a repeat pattern of the famous celebrity, Marylyn Monroe. It is a very well known piece in the pop art movement, and has been reproduced many times. Marylyn Monroe is often seen, and displayed as a fashion icon.

Figure 3

In this circa 1962 piece above entitled "Campbell's Soup Cans (Chicken with Rice, Bean with Bacon)", which is again by the artist Andy Warhol, (figure 33), it contains clear elements of consumer culture, like figure 1, with its reference to advertising. The piece displays a painted image of two food products by Campbell's soup company, one larger than the other.

Another pop art piece that the research will detail, is one by the artist Roy Lichtenstein. Lichtenstein was born in the city of Manhattan, USA.
An example image will be situated below this text.

Figure 4

This piece above (figure 44) contains very bright and vivid colours, Lichtenstein left his mark in the world of pop art with his bold style, as today Lichtenstein is one of the most well recognised artists in this genre, alongside Andy Warhol. Another of his works are featured under this paragraph.

Figure 5

This piece (figure 55) was produced in 1961, and was painted before the figure above. Like the figure above, it contains bold and vivid colours, in a very cartoon like fashion. A style that is very recognisable to Roy Lichtenstein.

References Used: 

1.  Figure 1: “Just what is it that makes today’s homes so different, so appealing?” Livingstone, M. (1990) 'Pop art - a continuing history'. London: Thames and Hudson.

2.  Figure 2: “The Twenty-Five Marilyns”, Artist: Andy Warhol, c1962, Osterwold, T. (1999) Pop Art. Köln: Benedikt Taschen.
3. Figure 3: "Campbell's Soup Cans (Chicken with Rice, Bean with Bacon)" Artist: Andy Warhol, c1962, Osterwold, T. (1999) Pop Art. Pg: 171, Köln: Benedikt Taschen.

4. Figure 4: "I know How You Must Feel, Brad", Artist: Roy Lichtenstein, c1964, Osterwold, T. (1999) Pop Art. Köln: Benedikt Taschen.

5. Figure 5: "Engagement Ring", Artist: Roy Lichtenstein, c1961, Livingstone, M. (1990) 'Pop art - a continuing history'. Pg: 74 London: Thames and Hudson.



Alphabetical Ordered Bibliography:
Figure 1: “Just what is it that makes today’s homes so different, so appealing?” Livingstone, M. (1990) 'Pop art - a continuing history'. London: Thames and Hudson.

Figure 2: “The Twenty-Five Marilyns”, Artist: Andy Warhol, c1962, Osterwold, T. (1999) Pop Art. Köln: Benedikt Taschen.

Figure 3: "Campbell's Soup Cans (Chicken with Rice, Bean with Bacon)" Artist: Andy Warhol, c1962, Osterwold, T. (1999) Pop Art. Pg: 171, Köln: Benedikt Taschen.

Figure 4: "I know How You Must Feel, Brad", Artist: Roy Lichtenstein, c1964, Osterwold, T. (1999) Pop Art. Köln: Benedikt Taschen.


Figure 5: "Engagement Ring", Artist: Roy Lichtenstein, c1961, Livingstone, M. (1990) 'Pop art - a continuing history'. Pg: 74 London: Thames and Hudson.