Pop Figurativism

Figurative art, sometimes written as Figurativism, describes artwork that is clearly derived from real object sources and so is, by definition, representational. 

Illustration can take many forms and comprise many mediums. As a universally appreciated movement it is a diaspora; part of every culture and interpreted in a myriad of styles. But this hasn’t always been so. For decades, institutions rebutted figurative work, elevating abstract expressionism and conceptual art instead. But in the past few decades, as street and manga-influenced art achieved blue-chip status, narrative art has returned to the forefront of the global zeitgeist and continues to break auction records.

Throughout the ebb and flow of representational dominance, sequential art has persisted –hoisting the flag of figurative and narrative art through eras of little appreciation while adapting and innovating. And so it almost defies logic that much published and provenanced art is so affordable.

Comic books and animation are often how we first discover illustration, and so the influence it has on the greater pop culture is immeasurable. Nostalgia is powerful.

At the start of this new year, it seemed appropriate to organize a collection of great pieces and re-home them. Below are pieces from the Pop Sequentialism archive and private collections. In addition to comic book and anime production art there are also fantasy and sci-fi book covers and commissions.