ARTIST ROOMS: Roy Lichtenstein in Focus at Tate Liverpool

Sara Jaspan, Exhibitions Editor
Roy Lichtenstein, 1923-1997 In the Car 1963 Oil and magna on canvas 172 x 203.5 cm Collection: National Galleries of Scotland, purchased 1980 © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein/DACS 2017. Photo: Antonia Reeve

ARTIST ROOMS: Roy Lichtenstein in Focus at Tate Liverpool, Waterfront 22 September 2017 — 10 June 2018 Entrance is free

A ‘Whaam!’ of colour is set to arrive at Tate Liverpool this September with the opening of an exhibition dedicated to the work of America Pop Art legend, Roy Lichtenstein. Featuring several of his most famous pieces, as well as some lesser-known, rarely seen gems, the display promises to provide a fascinating overview of an artist whose career helped reinvigorate the American art scene and alter the history of modern art.

Lichtenstein first rose to prominence in the 1960s, coinciding with the moment when consumerism in America truly took off. Responding to the cultural and political changes taking place, he began incorporating comic strips, advertising imagery and other elements of popular mass culture into his often monumentally sized paintings – describing these as “purely American mythological subject matter.” It was also during this period that he began perfecting his signature Ben-Day dots technique, which mimics the crude printing methods seen in comic books and commercial newsprint. Such ‘low art’ references were traditionally considered too trivial for the art world; a position that Lichtenstein was keen to critique and undermine by exposing as nothing more than an artificial set of prevailing tastes and conventions.

The artist continued to experiment tirelessly throughout his long career, working across sculpture, collage and video in addition to painting. Lichtenstein in Focus will include his rarely seen, single foray into film: Three Landscapes (c. 1970–1971), which is being presented for just the second time in Europe, offering a unusual insight into this one-off part of Lichtenstein’s practice. The piece was made over two weeks at Universal Studios in 1969 as part of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s innovative Art and Technology programme, which placed a number of international artists in residence with leading California-based industries. It was filmed at Long Island in New York in collaboration with the independent filmmaker Joel Freedman, and consists of a mesmerising hybrid of moving image, painting, billboard, comic strip and kinetic spectacle; immersing the spectator in an ambient sea of juxtaposing footage that explores the movement of light and water.

Similar concerns around opticality also arise elsewhere within the show, for example in Wall Explosion II (1965) and Reflections on Girl (1990), where Lichtenstein harnesses the glossy effect of synthetic materials like polymer paint to create mirrored surfaces, and contrasting, reflective effects.

Lichtenstein in Focus brings over 20 significant works by one of America’s most renowned artist to the North West, charting the trajectory of his progress from obscurity to international acclaim. Altogether, the exhibition looks set to provide an invigorating, colourful encounter.

ARTIST ROOMS: Roy Lichtenstein in Focus at Tate Liverpool, Waterfront 22 September 2017 — 10 June 2018 Entrance is free

What's on at Tate Liverpool

Where to go near ARTIST ROOMS: Roy Lichtenstein in Focus at Tate Liverpool

Royal Albert Dock. Image by Think Publicity
Waterfront
Gallery
Royal Albert Dock

Liverpool’s Albert Dock is a reliably great day or night out, and here’s what’s on offer there over the Christmas weeks.

Rosa's Thai Cafe
Liverpool
Restaurant
Rosa’s Thai Cafe

Rosa’s Thai Cafe is another great addition to Liverpool’s Royal Albert Dock, serving up delicious and authentic Thai food in stylish surroundings, with wonderfully charming staff.

Liverpool
Restaurant
Maray Albert Dock

The ever-popular Maray’s third site, based at the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool, has beautiful views and flavours in equal measure.

Liverpool
Restaurant
Madre Liverpool

A smart, modern Mexican restaurant in Liverpool’s Albert Dock, with an extensive menu featuring showstopping dishes such as half a pig’s head and butterflied sea bass.

BeatlesStory, courtesy of author
Waterfront
Tourist Attraction
The Beatles Story

Visit the award-winning Beatles Story – an atmospheric journey into the life, times, culture and music of The Beatles.

Wild Shore Liverpool
Liverpool
Tourist Attraction
Wild Shore Liverpool

Situated in the Royal Albert Dock this bonanza of slipping, sliding, clinging on for dear life and ultimately splashing into the water is riotous fun.

Liverpool
Gallery
RIBA North

RIBA North is the national architecture centre on the Liverpool Waterfront and a temporary home to Tate Liverpool.

What's on: Exhibitions

Wolf in Yellowstone
Until
ExhibitionsManchester
Wild at Manchester Museum

Manchester Museum explores the concept of ‘wild’ nature as a means of tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis in a new exhibition.

free entry

Culture Guides

NEXT: A Primer on Urban Painting production still
Cinema in the North

Street art, LGBTQ+ History Month, and the first film festivals of the year are amongst our cinema highlights this month.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Feminist farce, a magical circus show and Oldham Coliseum return with a brand-new off-site show. All in our latest theatre guide.

FKA TWIGS
Music in the North

Masters of minimalism, leftfield electronica and cutting edge pop. We bring you the lot in our latest live music round up.

The Super Duper Family Festival
Family things to do in the North

We might be past the holiday season, but Manchester and the North's arts and cultural calendar is still packed with brilliant events and activities for families

A painting of a young child being bathed in a sink of a 197s style kitchen. Around the sink are a rubber duck, a bottle of  washing up liquid, a jug, a kettle and a mug.
Exhibitions in the North

Galleries are racing to announce new exhibitions so check out our top picks, from art films and nostalgic paintings to Hockney's collages.