Introduction to Lowbrow Art

Posted by mt | Filed under Art

Sure, they’re perfectly acceptable now, but what would you have thought of Andy Warhol in 1962? Keith Haring in 1980? Well, it’s 2008, time to figure out how you feel about these guys.


Clockwise from top left, they are Bwana Spoons, Greg Simkins/Craola, Mars-1, Plasticgod, Luke Chueh, Shepard Fairey, Amy Sol, and Tim Biskup, just a handful of Lowbrow artists.

Lowbrow, Pop Surrealism, plain ol’ modern, call it what you want—any single label feels insufficient—this scene has been absolutely blowing up over the past few years. From art and design students to self-taught and graffiti artists, this new movement is sort of giving the finger to the likes of Thomas Kinkade or anyone else you’ve seen on a mouse pad.

Not united by medium, you’re as likely to find a spray-painted stencil on an old map as you are a sumptuously detailed oil on canvas. Not united by subject matter, they’ll make you laugh and they’ll make you cry. What seems to unify these artists, aside from the community they’ve formed, is a warm embrace of subculture (and a sense of humor).

So how do you find these new art stars? They’re on skateboards and album covers, stickers and, well, the sides of buildings. But they’re also in magazines, such as Juxtapoz and Hi-Fructose, and in books, including Copro/Nason Fine Art. And perhaps most importantly, they’re in galleries all over the world (although Los Angeles seems to have the highest concentration). Grab them now, before they’re totally unattainable.

Michele Truty (or MT as she’s referred to here) is an editor, a writer and a lover of things off the beaten path. She’ll be writing and reporting about the lowbrow scene a couple times a month for Color Themes, so make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss out.

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Permalink | May 8th, 2008

6 Responses to “Introduction to Lowbrow Art”

  1. Color Themes » Blog Archive » We’re Trying Something New Says:
    May 8th, 2008 at 12:02 pm

    [...] Truty. She’ll be bringing a different flavor to our post on art, digging deep into the Lowbrow art scene that has gone from subculture to pop culture over the past few years and shows promise of [...]

  2. Pomme Says:
    May 9th, 2008 at 6:50 pm

    A movement i can get behind. Absolutely agree on the unity from counter-culture and humor, well done. I’m saving all my Hi Fructose issues, maybe antiques roadshow of 2060 will do a special.

  3. Michele Says:
    May 13th, 2008 at 1:12 pm

    Very well done, MT. Thanks so much!

    Michele

  4. Color Themes » Blog Archive » Framing Choices for Lowbrow Art Says:
    May 22nd, 2008 at 9:01 am

    [...] their already fun nature, a Lowbrow piece allows you to have fun with the frame. Sure, you could take it to the frame shop and spend a [...]

  5. Color Themes » Blog Archive » Dont Be Left Out! Says:
    June 23rd, 2008 at 11:50 am

    [...] the frenzy over today’s Lowbrow art stars, shows can sell out opening night—or earlier. And what if you don’t live near a [...]

  6. Color Themes » Blog Archive » Bringing Street Art Indoors Says:
    July 1st, 2008 at 9:45 pm

    [...] of the benefits of the Lowbrow movement is that my favorite street artists are being given the opportunity to produce gallery [...]

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