Billy Al Bengston
Each student chose an artist that they somehow connected to or admired. We researched the artist for multiple days and eventually wrote a short essay about them and their art. To accompany the essay, we each made a recreation of their art. I chose to do my project on Billy Al Bengston.
Short Essay
Every success story begins with the tragic up-bringing a young boy that eventually finds his passion and stops at nothing until he gets what he’s worked for. The story of Billy Al Bengston doesn’t necessarily fit this profile. Born and raised in Dodge City, Kansas, Billy attended school like any other boy, went to college and gained the tools and knowledge to pursue his dream of creating art. He went on to be one of the most famous artists of his time and helped bring flavor to the California Pop-Art movement. Throughout this process, he learned valuable life lessons, made strong bonds and found himself in his work.
In the 1950’s a new style of art was born in Great Britain. This art method was called named pop art. A few years after this style became popular in Great Britain, the concept moved to the United States. Something about the bright colors and bold shapes used in pop art caught the attention of U.S. citizens and started being used on advertisements, comics, and anyone who is very popular in mass culture. Artists who adapted this type of work took even the most simple photo, person, image of any sort and turned it into something that is truly a work of art.
Pop art wasn’t restricted to paint on a canvas. Billy Al Bengston brought his own style into pop art. He pioneered the use of industrial, spray paint and found canvasses technique. In the 1960’s, Billy encouraged viewers to associate his art with motorcycle subculture. Thomas E. Crow wanted to bring attention to the deliberate differences between Benston’s flamboyant, competitive, aggressively masculine stance and the delicate modest approach to his art.
Half a century ago, Billy debuted his art work at the Ferus Gallery on La Cienaga. This location that helped shape Los Angeles’ identity as a center of modern art was also the space that sparked the careers of artists such as Andy Warhol, Wallace Berman and Larry Bell. The art that was shown at this time featured his early essential image studies. This collection focused on innate symbolism complimented by rough geometry and bold colors. Bengston became known for work that created stunning, dazzling optical effects. He continues to incorporate these methods into his artwork. Billy Al Bengston drew inspiration from the people and life around him, eventually finding his way in the artistic world.
In the 1950’s a new style of art was born in Great Britain. This art method was called named pop art. A few years after this style became popular in Great Britain, the concept moved to the United States. Something about the bright colors and bold shapes used in pop art caught the attention of U.S. citizens and started being used on advertisements, comics, and anyone who is very popular in mass culture. Artists who adapted this type of work took even the most simple photo, person, image of any sort and turned it into something that is truly a work of art.
Pop art wasn’t restricted to paint on a canvas. Billy Al Bengston brought his own style into pop art. He pioneered the use of industrial, spray paint and found canvasses technique. In the 1960’s, Billy encouraged viewers to associate his art with motorcycle subculture. Thomas E. Crow wanted to bring attention to the deliberate differences between Benston’s flamboyant, competitive, aggressively masculine stance and the delicate modest approach to his art.
Half a century ago, Billy debuted his art work at the Ferus Gallery on La Cienaga. This location that helped shape Los Angeles’ identity as a center of modern art was also the space that sparked the careers of artists such as Andy Warhol, Wallace Berman and Larry Bell. The art that was shown at this time featured his early essential image studies. This collection focused on innate symbolism complimented by rough geometry and bold colors. Bengston became known for work that created stunning, dazzling optical effects. He continues to incorporate these methods into his artwork. Billy Al Bengston drew inspiration from the people and life around him, eventually finding his way in the artistic world.