Pop artist James Rosenquist reformulated photographs and advertising imagery from popular magazines into a kaleidoscope of compelling and enigmatic narratives on canvas. The clippings---from magazines, advertisements and photographic reproductions were incorporated into collages that Rosenquist made in preparation for the paintings.

James Rosenquist,Marilyn Monroe I, 1962, lithograph on paper

James Rosenquist worked as a billboard painter, learning to enlarge images from small photographs and to apply thick paint quickly and easily to broad areas. Through that work he also became aware that gigantic images seen at close range can turn into abstract, unidentifiable forms without meaning.

James Rosenquist, President Elect, 1960-1, 1964 oil on masonite

It is argued that Rosenquist's work has poignantly registered social and political concerns and reflected upon the dynamics of modern capitalist culture. I can see the novel imagery and pictorial composition that would have once been in the vanguard and the use of images from popular culture.

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