An ‘Ism’ Overview – Raw Art vs. Pop Art

In the 20th century, two movements emerged in the art world that challenged traditional notions of what art should look like: Raw art and Pop art. While Raw art celebrated the spontaneous and untrained creativity of outsider artists, Pop art celebrated the commercial and mass-produced culture of the 1950s and 60s. Despite their apparent differences, both Raw art and Pop art shared a common goal: to democratize the art world and make art accessible to a broader audience.

Raw art, also known as Outsider art or Art Brut, originated in the 1940s and 50s and was championed by artists like Jean Dubuffet. Raw art rejected the elitism and academicism of the art world and instead celebrated the work of untrained, self-taught artists who created art from their own inner worlds. These artists often used unconventional materials and techniques and were inspired by their own personal experiences rather than the dominant art movements of their time.

In contrast, Pop art emerged in the 1950s and 60s and celebrated the mass-produced, commercial culture of post-war America. Pop artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein used images and objects from popular culture, such as advertisements, comic books, and everyday objects, to create their art. They sought to blur the boundaries between high and low culture and to challenge the idea that art had to be serious and intellectual.

Despite their differences, both Raw art and Pop art were subversive movements that challenged the status quo. Raw art rejected the traditional standards of art-making, while Pop art challenged the idea that art had to be original and expressive. Both movements sought to democratize the art world and to make art accessible to a broader audience.

One key difference between Raw art and Pop art, however, is their relationship to authenticity. Raw art celebrated the authenticity of the artist’s personal experience, while Pop art celebrated the authenticity of mass-produced images and objects. Raw art was often raw and unpolished, while Pop art was often slick and polished.

Another difference between the two movements is their relationship to the art establishment. Raw art rejected the art establishment and its elitism, while Pop art sought to critique and subvert it from within. Pop artists like Warhol and Lichtenstein gained commercial success and critical acclaim, blurring the boundaries between high and low culture, while Raw artists remained on the margins of the art world.

In conclusion, Raw art and Pop art may seem like two very different movements, but they shared a common goal of democratizing the art world and making art accessible to a broader audience. While Raw art celebrated the personal authenticity of outsider artists, Pop art celebrated the authenticity of mass-produced images and objects. Both movements challenged traditional notions of what art should look like and sought to create a more inclusive and diverse art world.