Alma Lee Originals-ArtScape

Pop Surrealism
I have been looking into this ever since I ran into the term while trying to find a genre that my art truly fit. Wikipedia defines Pop Surrealism as: Lowbrow, or lowbrow art,[1] describes an underground visual art movement that arose in the Los Angeles, California, area in the late 1970s. Lowbrow is a widespread populist art movement with origins in the underground comix world, punk music, hot-rod street culture, and other subcultures. It is also often known by the name pop surrealism. Lowbrow art often has a sense of humor - sometimes the humor is gleeful, sometimes impish, and sometimes it is a sarcastic comment.[2] I almost clicked away when the first words I read were Lowbrow. That seems such a derogatory term. Where as the definition of Lowbrow is: 1. A person who is uninterested, uninvolved, or uneducated in intellectual activities or pursuits. This term may describe the Art establishments. Assessment to the genre’s work in general but It certainly certainly does not describe the pop surrealist art I have seen. Some of the leading artist in this genre are Mark Ryden, Gary Panter, Robt Williams and Vicky-Knowles demonstrate something quite different. Take one look at Greater Concerns than Mere Puppetry by Robt Williams http://www.robtwilliamsstudio.com/, Mark Ryden’s Saint Barbie http://www.lunch.com/Reviews/d/Mark_Ryden-Photos-1587410-Mark_Ryden-469950.html?pid=0or the set design for Pee Wee Hermans Playhouse by Gary Panter, or Alice in Wibbleland by Vicky Knowles, http://www.ebsqart.com/Artist/Vicky-Knowles/7/Art-Portfolio/Alice-in-Wibbleland/568646/. and you will not convince me of anything if the fact they are deeply involved with pop culture. Their art work requires complete immersion, observation sometime to the point of discomfort, in order to convey the symbiotic relationship of art culture and the world at large Having read this far I will bet you are asking “What is the Difference between Pop surrealism and Surrealism?” Again Wikipedia defines Surrealism as: “Surrealism is a cultural movement that began in the early 1920s, and is best known for its visual artworks and writings.” itself with the workings of the human mind and psyche. Allow me to suggest that Surrealism expresses itself through aid of an altered state lens, whether in a dream state, or drug induced. It is an altered reality. Pop Surrealism expresses itself through a heightened reality, depicting the unseen consequences, results and catalysts connected with every scene and vision. Pop Surrealism is to reality, what Science Fiction is to Science As for myself and my place in the Pop Surrealism Movement, I have been hooked since I took a painting class with Norbert Kox http://exhibitsnhkox.homestead.com/tohellandback.html I don’t believe either he or I had ever heard the term Pop Surrealism, but he sure had mastered it. I knew the man to hold strong Christian beliefs because of our conversations, but I saw the series coming to live in his current project in which he was undertaking the task of visual interpretation of the book of Revelation. When my eye moved to the center of the painting there sat the image of Reggie White Packer Footbal Player also widely know as a Christian) on the throne reserved for the anti-Christ. In total confusion I asked him why would he cast Reggie in that like to which he replied “oh I don’t think that he is the anti Christ, but more people sit in their easy chairs watching him play on a Sunday morning, than do those who fill the pews on a Sunday morning…THEY apparently think he is god! So I am looking into the lighter side of Pop Surreaism, the unexpected, surprising and lovely side with some of my favorite pets and though. I may not cross over with you but I’ll try get you to the door.