Critical and Contextual Studies: Popular Culture

  • Learn about popular culture, also known as pop culture, which refers to the set of ideas, perspectives, attitudes, images, and other phenomena that are within the mainstream of a given culture, particularly Western culture.
  • Explore how popular culture infiltrated the art world, influencing the creation of new art movements like Pop Art.
  • Discover the role of mass media, such as television, movies, music, books, and the internet, in shaping and spreading popular culture.
  • Familiarise yourself with the artists who have drawn on popular culture in their work, such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Richard Hamilton.
  • Analyse their artworks to understand how they use elements of popular culture, such as comic strips, celebrity images, logos, and advertising motifs, to create social commentary.
  • Understand how these artists challenged the traditional distinctions between ‘high’ art and ‘low’ culture.
  • Note how popular culture in art often speaks to universal themes and everyday realities which are immediately recognisable and broadly accessible.
  • Learn to discern the artist’s intent and the social or political commentary behind the depiction of popular culture in art.
  • Reflect on the power of pop culture in art to critique or reflect society, questioning norms, values and ideologies.
  • Identify aspects of popular culture that resonate with your own experiences and preferences, and consider how you might express these through your artwork.
  • Experiment with incorporating elements of popular culture into your own work, such as by using common imagery or themes from your favourite films, music, or television shows.
  • Reflect on the audience reception of artworks that engage with popular culture, and consider how these responses might shape your own artistic approach.

Note: The exploration of popular culture in art presents an opportunity to engage with broader audiences, challenge conventional art narratives and contribute to contemporary discourse.