Donuts, Coffee Cups & Comics (1962) by Jann Haworth © the artist, Wolverhampton Arts and Museums collection.
Exhibition: Pop - Jann Haworth, Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, until April 10 2010
Wolverhampton Art Gallery is to launch their latest exhibit of Pop art with, Pop: Jann Haworth. The exhibition will be Haworth’s first exhibition in the UK in over 35 years and will feature work from the early 1960s through to the present day.
The American-born artist was a leading female figure in the Pop art movement during the 60s and is best known for her colourful, sewn and knitted sculptures.
Haworth’s work draws on familiar American culture with fast food, film stars, comics and cheerleaders referenced in her work. Her themes touch on the commonplace, adding fun and a twist of the unexpected to the everyday.
Art Woman (2007/8) by Jann Haworth © the artist.
One of her most notable contributions to popular culture is the cover of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band LP.
Haworth designed the piece with her husband at the time, Peter Blake. The cover also features one of her sculptures, Old Lady, which will be on display at Wolverhampton.
Having completed her education at the Courtauld Institute and Slade School of Fine Art in the UK, she first exhibited her work in 4 Young Artists the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) in London in 1963.
Some of her original work from that time will be exhibited, including a 3D still-life piece Donuts, Coffee Cups & Comics (1962), which now belongs to the Wolverhampton collection.
New pieces that will feature in the exhibition include stuffed fabric charm bracelets and a Minnie Mouse-themed corset.
Invisible Woman 9 by Jann Haworth © the artist.
In 1997 Haworth received the Robert Fraser Award and her work has been exhibited worldwide in New York, Paris and Milan.
Haworth will be giving a talk at the exhibition with art historian Marco Livingstone on October 28 2009 from 3.15pm to 4.30pm
Vered Lahav will also be hosting a new exhibition, opening on October 28 that will include installations of photography, film, drawings and three-dimensional objects.
Admission is free. Wolverhampton Art Gallery is open Monday – Saturday, 10.00am – 5.00pm.
