James Rosenquist
(American, 1933-2017)
Miles, from the portfolio America: The Third Century, 1976
Silkscreen with airbrush; 30 x 22 inches
Acquired in 1981
Best known for his colossal collage paintings, James Rosenquist is one of the few pop artists whose later work continues to be relevant in the modern era. Rosenquist enigmatically juxtaposes fragmentary images of consumer products, weaponry, and celebrities to hint at his social, political, and cultural concerns. Starting his journey with art as a billboard painter, Rosenquist’s works often reflect his past in the large-scale they are presented. He is known for taking over entire gallery spaces with massive murals that covered the room. As his reputation grew, Rosenquist used his esteem to lobby for federal protection of artists’ right during the 1970s. He was even appointed to the National Council on the Arts. Rosenquist was among the first artists to directly address the power of advertising and used his art to highlight the omnipresence advertisements have in people’s daily life. The pioneering painter is renowned for his vibrantly colored and fragmented works, as displayed in Miles. As a result, his works paint a fascinating portrait of the contemporary life and its burgeoning acceptance of consumerism.
This portfolio of prints demonstrates the depth and breadth of art making in 1976 America. Commissioned for the 1976 celebration of the American Bicentennial, it includes works by Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichtenstein, Allan D’Arcangelo, William Bailey, Edward Ruscha, Christo, James Brooks, Costantino Nivola, Velox Ward, Raymond Saunders, Robert Andrew Parker, and Ben Schonzeit.
Location
University of Houston
Computing Center