What art movement of the 1960s used imagery from popular culture, such as advertising and comic books?

During the vibrant and transformative decade of the 1960s, a groundbreaking art movement emerged that radically shifted artistic focus from traditional subjects to the everyday world of mass media and consumerism. This movement challenged the prevailing seriousness of Abstract Expressionism by embracing the imagery of popular culture, making art more accessible and relatable to a wider audience. It was a direct response to the explosion of advertising, television, and mass-produced goods in post-war society.

This influential art style drew its inspiration from a vast array of sources, including advertisements, comic books, product packaging, and celebrity photographs. Artists working within this movement sought to blur the lines between "high art" and "low art," incorporating familiar commercial symbols and mundane objects into their works. Characterized by bold colors, hard-edged compositions, and often employing techniques like silk-screening to mimic mass production, the art reflected the visual language of consumer culture. Through irony, wit, and sometimes critique, it held a mirror up to society's burgeoning materialism and obsession with fame.

Iconic figures like Andy Warhol, famous for his Campbell's Soup Cans and vivid celebrity portraits, and Roy Lichtenstein, known for his large-scale paintings mimicking comic strip panels with their distinctive Ben-Day dots, were central to this movement. Their work not only captured the essence of the era but also redefined what could be considered art, leaving a lasting impact on contemporary culture and continuing to inspire artists today.