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 Ed Ruscha painting called ME |
Artist of unknown, alien America
This painting by Ed Ruscha, called simply Me, is part of the artist’s lifelong attempts at evoking America’s awe-inspiring natural wonders and sprawling, alienating cities.
Born in 1937, Ruscha has spent his entire working life in Los Angeles, a city he regards as the “ultimate cardboard cut-out town, full of illusions”.
His artwork is reminiscent of the lonely American scenes painted by Edward Hopper, as well as of the pop art of Roy Lichtenstein.
Perhaps influenced by the time he spent working as a layout artist for an advertising agency after graduating from university, Ruscha juxtaposes headline buzzwords or parts of advertising slogans with topography in some of his paintings.
He once remarked that his artistic aim was to explore “the raw power of things that make no sense”.
The Hayward Gallery’s exhibition of Ruscha’s work is the first major UK retrospective to focus exclusively on the work of an artist widely regarded as one of the most influential in America over the past half a century. The artwork on show spans Ruscha’s entire career; the exhibition features 78 paintings, many of which are on public display for the first time, highlighting the range of Ruscha’s talent and his penchant for playful irony.
Josh Loeb
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