Funk Art - The Concept & the History
Inspired by the contemporary trends, fashion, and lifestyle, Funk Art became one of the most unconventional forms of the Modern Art in the late 1950s through 1970s. Originated in California, this art style remained active mainly in the United States. Funk Art represented an eclectic mix of elements, including discarded & junk matter, torn pieces of fabric, old furniture, and photographs. US Funk artist Edward Kienholz described these elements as 'the leftovers of human experience.' Similarly, Funk had varying manifestations in the form of paintings, sculptures, and assemblages. It derived its name from the musical genre, 'funky.' The term 'funky' means earthy, sensuous, and passionate in the musical parlance, but it has another meaning literally, 'smelly.' The Funk artists made the second connotation, fundamental to their work.
The Details
Funk Art was a reaction against the idealistic seriousness of Abstract Expressionism, which the Funk artists rejected as disconnected from reality and artistic social responsibility. It was consciously executed in a distasteful manner to such an extent that it was considered 'tatty' or 'sick.' These artists often blended humor with vulgarity and explicit representations. However, bawdiness was not the ultimate aim of Funk Art movement. The artists strived to confront the art scene in New York through their satirically shocking pieces. Sometimes, these works were also autobiographical in nature that had a flow of a narrative. Sculptures and assemblages formed a great part of the body of works by Funk artists. Three-dimensional static pieces made of ceramic were a prominent style of this genre.
The Artists & the Artworks
Among the most prominent names associated with the Funk Art Movement were Edward Kienholz, Bruce Conner, Roy de Forest, Gladys Nilsson, George Herms, Lucas Samaras, James Nutt, Paul Thek, and Colin Self. Other alumni from the University of California, who propagated this art further, included David Gilhooly, Peter Vandenberge, Margaret Dodd, and Chris Unterseher. Artworks, like 'I'm All a Twit' by Jim Nutt, became the signature pieces of Funk Art. It is a work in varying media, consisting of acrylic paint on vinyl window and enamel paint on wood frame. Similarly, Gladys Nilsson's paintings capture a curious mix of domesticity with the fantastical and deranged imagery. David Gilhooly, on the other hand, had mastery in ceramic works and etching. His classic piece 'The Windshield Sam Francis,' is composed of aquatint and colored etching.
Conclusion
With its diverse forms, penetrating subjects, unusual treatment of media, and links with leading artists, Funk Art became a powerful form of expression in the domain of Modern Art.
Source : Ezinearticles
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