POP! Art in a Changing Britain

Published to accompany the exhibition at Pallant House Gallery in Spring 2018.

The 1950s and 60s in Britain was a time of rapid social change; from the destruction and austerity brought about by the Second World War grew a national optimism flamed by leaps in science, medicine and technology. Artists responded to the shifting cultural landscape bringing politics, youth culture and ‘Pop’ into their work. Explored through a series of themes, this exhibition publication demonstrates the breadth of British Pop Art and the complexity of its definition, presenting it as an attitude with a lasting legacy.

Pallant House Gallery holds one of the largest public collections of British Pop Art internationally. This richly illustrated publication celebrates the extensive collection of painting, sculpture and print acquired by Professor Sir Colin St John Wilson in the decades that followed the Second World War.

Written by Claudia Milburn (Senior Curator) and Louise Weller (Curator) the book features an overview of how the Pop collection at Pallant House Gallery developed, an introduction to British Pop Art, alongside an essay that explores the key themes of the movement.

Artists’ biographies are included, accompanied by period photographs of each artist as well as a list of further reading. A timeline of the 1960s places significant moments in the development of British Pop Art alongside important events in wider culture, science, technology and politics. A foreword by the Director, Simon Martin and a full list of works open and close the book respectively.

Available at the special exhibition price of £29.95 online and in store until 7 May 2018.