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| Anatomy of a Somnambulist, by Mia Araujo |
Artistic movements are a constant and organic system in the art world.
Some arise in response to other movements, and others are created by the
innovation of a single artist’s imagination. The artistic movement known as “Lowbrow
art” or “Pop Surrealism” was born in the Los Angeles area in the 1970s. It
began as an underground style with heavy influences from pop culture, comics,
and other subcultures.
Pop Surrealism has been on the periphery of the art world for years,
occasionally cropping up in mainstream galleries across the country. It has
been chronically excluded from the “fine arts” sphere due to its unconventional
origins. Each of these artists has enormous talent but reside on the outskirts
of the traditional bubble. Many of the artists in the Pop Surrealist genre are
self-taught and lack a traditional arts foundation, alienating them from the
“legitimate” art world. Many of the artists come from backgrounds in
illustration, tattooing, and comic books.
The term “lowbrow art” was coined by artist Robert Williams for the
title of his book: The Lowbrow Art of Robt. Williams. He wanted a term for his type of art since
authorized art institutions refused to recognize his style. Williams has since
admitted that the term “lowbrow art” is ill fitting for the genre. Instead, Robert
Williams prefers to describe his work, and the genre that sprung from the title
of his book, “cartoon-tainted abstract surrealism.”
This estrangement from the fine arts world has not stopped people from
collecting Pop Surrealism, however. Collectors are drawn to the figurative and
narrative focus of Pop Surrealism. The genre highlights humor and detail fused
with pop culture references, some rather old-fashioned. Regional styles have
developed across the United States as well. The “west coast” style is more heavily
influenced by comix and hot-rod car culture than other parts of the nation. The
worldwide spread of Pop Surrealism has caused some very interesting
cross-culture effects. As the style develops, there may be more branching,
leading to the creation of new artistic movements.
In 1994, Robert Williams founded the magazine Juxtapoz, which continues to be the frontline of writing, media
exposure, and Pop Surrealist art community news. The magazine advertises
events, galleries, and shows. The magazine is a microcosm of the entire
movement and subculture. Each sub-group of the art movement is represented
including illustration, graffiti, tattoo, erotica, street art, and music and
film.
Some galleries tailor specifically to Pop Surrealism, expanding the
credibility of the style. As the community of artists grew, so did the number
of galleries showing lowbrow art. One of the galleries that exhibits this type
of art, particularly by local artists, is Thumbprint Gallery in La Jolla. The
gallery is located at 920 Kline Street and is open Wednesdays, Thursdays,
Saturdays, and Sundays from 12pm to 4pm.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowbrow_(art_movement)
http://beinart.org/info/essays/robert-williams.php
http://www.juxtapoz.com/
