Lowbrow Art & Pop Surrealism Explained

[@MrPhotodoc]

Thanks for the Art history class. I now realize I need to go back to school.

[@FrankCurkovic]

Ha! You are very welcome! Thanks for taking time to comment. Appreciated.

[@imdiaanne]

Best video on KZbin covering pop surrealism. Thanks for all this knowledge! Studying pop surrealism to improve my own artwork.

[@FrankCurkovic]

Great to hear! Thanks for taking the time to write. Much appreciated.

[@syurjevic]

Thanks for the synthesis ,I now know I’m one of these Pop surrealist low brow artist. Your video scratched a metaphorical itch I didn’t know I had. Thanks

[@FrankCurkovic]

Rock on!

[@raycope2086]

What a wonderful and very informative short video, Frank. I really love this artistic movement so much. Thanks for allowing me to see its origins, and the fantastically inspired pioneers of the movement. I wish you rainbows.

[@FrankCurkovic]

Thanks Ray! I am glad you enjoyed it and thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Much appreciated.

[@CreativeRob]

Really enjoyed this video! Jeff Soto and Ron English are some of my fav artist.

[@FrankCurkovic]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@QuitRuiningMyRecommendations]

I was a huge fan of this type of art starting in my childhood, but I didn't know any of this history or context. Thanks for making this!

[@FrankCurkovic]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidrankin914]

Excellent video! I really enjoyed it and thank you!

[@FrankCurkovic]

Thank you too for taking the time to comment!

[@yurilks]

Damn it changed my life... They create exactly what I want to do... Thank you bro, such a nice video

[@FrankCurkovic]

Go for it!

[@ninaromm5491]

Yummy yummy yummy !!!! Wonderful compilation. Hope the algorithm suddenly starts loving you ! 😂❤

[@FrankCurkovic]

Appreciate that, thanks!

[@theunassumnglocalguy5441]

As a kid growing up in the Midwest my exposure lowbrow and pop surrealism was through a subscription to Juxtapoz. I fell in love with the strange and grotesque imagery but marveled at how incredibly technical the art was too. It shaped my whole style as a future artist myself.

[@FrankCurkovic]

Juxtapoz was my main introduction as well, apart from a vinyl compilation record my dad had that had Rat Fink-like character on the cover. Thanks for sharing.

[@HeyAHappyHuman]

8:57 I'm in love. Thank you for introducing the beautiful art from this artist

[@FrankCurkovic]

You are very welcome! Glad you enjoy it!

[@ishigirihayato]

Incredibly well explained and researched. Thanks for this video!

[@FrankCurkovic]

Glad you enjoyed it! Very welcome!

[@HeyAHappyHuman]

How doesn't this have more views ?? Love the video ❤

[@FrankCurkovic]

Thanks. The algorithm is a tough cookie to crack at times. Thank you for taking time to write comments. Much appreciated.

[@jenm5666]

I hadn't heard of Hi-Fructose and just subscribed! I randomly came across a documentary of Robert Williams a few years ago and have been a huge fan of Juxtapose ever since. You did an excellent job of weaving together the styles and artists and presented it clearly. That's not easy.

[@FrankCurkovic]

Thanks so much!

[@marsh6714]

thank you for making this video!! ive fallen in love with rat fink and roth's grotesque attention to detail, and im glad to have stumbled upon someone to talk about him!!! please make a video about him kustom culture if you, too, find it interesting. also, this reminds me a lot of spike n mike animation festivals. a lot of grotesque, surreal, satirical, and dark animations... which reminded me of this art form

[@FrankCurkovic]

Yes, good idea! Thanks for taking the time to comment. It is appreciated.

[@dogpotato972]

You put words to all of my favorite works that I never had the ability to describe.

[@FrankCurkovic]

Cool. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@TK-ej6ks]

Thank you so much for this video! I found various paintings from Anthony Ausgang and Rober Williams in my Dads basement. Truly a unique style - very nice to have the background!

[@FrankCurkovic]

You are very welcome! Wow, what a find in the basement! Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@pactrarc]

Fantastic video with a few glaring omissions, Keith Weesner, Von Franco, Coop, Sonny DePalma to name a few. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@FrankCurkovic]

Thanks for the comment. I will check them out. The focus was more on how lowbrow art led to Pop Surrealism, but I feel a bit guilty now for leaving out Coop!

[@Lethabrainzblo]

This is a very well made, informative video, just earned a sub 👍

[@FrankCurkovic]

Thanks so much for the comment and sub! Much appreciated.

[@nicodemuschronos962]

Great video. I would like to see a video focus more in depth on the work of each individual artist. Or maybe a few at a time that share similarities. I enjoyed this very much. Thanks

[@FrankCurkovic]

Yes, I hope to do something like that, but it appears I do not enough days in the week : ( Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@nicodemuschronos962]

@@FrankCurkovic I know what you mean.

[@walterfechter8080]

I first encountered the work created by Robert Williams in hot rod magazines which featured ads for T-shirts and other items by Ed Roth. I also remember the art of Spain Rodriguez and the 1960s outlaw motorcycle art of David Mann. The art of Peter Max, The Fool, and Rick Griffin were some of my favorite eye candies back in the 1960s. Moreover, Victor Moscoso's blue and orange imagery provided the definitive aspect of 1960s Psychedelia. Thanks, Frank Curkovic.

[@FrankCurkovic]

YOU ARE VERY WELCOME! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!

[@realkabecio]

I LOVE this video...I never knew! What a great study of some truly great and less documented art. Thank you so much for the enlightenment!!

[@FrankCurkovic]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MollyPetrescu86]

I loved this video. Thank you so much for posting.

[@FrankCurkovic]

You are so welcome! Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for taking the time to comment.

[@normapadro420]

I like this video. I always look around for different artists online. I like all of this work. I'm also an artist, and I enjoy everything that's different. My music productions fall into the different category as well. Thank you for sharing your video.

[@FrankCurkovic]

You are very welcome! Thank you for taking the time to comment!

[@amanibsieso6916]

thank you so much it was really helpful for me to keep going and keep painting and sketching 😍 just be myself 😊thankful for you

[@FrankCurkovic]

I'm so glad! Keep it up!

[@KetchupCanvas]

This is such a good video! I was recently introduced to pop surrealism and as an artist myself I find it incredibly inspiring and fascinating. This really gave me a great idea of the background behind it! Thanks for being awesome!! 😁

[@FrankCurkovic]

I'm so glad! Thanks for taking the time to write. Very kind of you.

[@JanetBirdFuller]

Well done video. Thank you much.

[@FrankCurkovic]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to comment.

[@kelguy2002]

So Very VERY GOOD Thank you For posting This !

[@FrankCurkovic]

My pleasure!

[@telewah3986]

absolutely amazing video! just discovered this style of art and I'm now obsessed! Thank you for the crash course 😃

[@FrankCurkovic]

You are very welcome! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. Initially, I myself wasn't a fan but it began growing on me, thus the video. Thanks again.

[@telewah3986]

@@FrankCurkovic absolutely no worries! Keep up the great work 🙂

[@Wendigosh]

Thanks for making this!

[@FrankCurkovic]

My pleasure! Thanks for the comment!

[@boristabareag3598]

Could you pretty please do a 3 hours version of this beautiful video? I thought oil painting was so near to die for good...Thanks for proving me I was wrong. CHEERS From Mexico City !!!

[@FrankCurkovic]

3 hours?! Gosh...that would be epic. Not sure I have time for that : )

[@siervo077]

Great video, thanks your share

[@FrankCurkovic]

Thanks for visiting!

[@Ajtheartist111]

This is amazing!! Great work here.

[@FrankCurkovic]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@glenn1178]

great video-I think Jana Brike should get a mention as well-She has almost no videos showcasing her remarkable work

[@FrankCurkovic]

Thanks! I was unfamiliar with that artists and checkered her out. Thanks for the tip!

[@FrankCurkovic]

Thanks! I'll check out her work.

[@ruperterskin2117]

Right on. Thanks for sharing.

[@FrankCurkovic]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@daniellesolk5381]

Really interesting video, thanks!

[@FrankCurkovic]

My pleasure! I would love to make a unit on Pop Surrealism. More suited to HS though.

[@FilmFactry]

Excellent, Thank you!

[@FrankCurkovic]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for taking the time to comment!

[@lucy2597]

wonderful video, thank you

[@FrankCurkovic]

Thank you too for taking the time to comment!

[@Peem_pom]

Thank you for such great content!

[@FrankCurkovic]

Thanks for watching!

[@semantixsigns6657]

Great video. Nothin low bout the skill of Robert crumb and big daddy Roth!

[@FrankCurkovic]

You got that right!

[@semantixsigns6657]

@@FrankCurkovic I’ve only watched half way through this video. I’m savouring (by saving) the other half for a comfy chair coming soon!

[@1deplatt]

Comprehensive! I might have mentioned Kaws as he is one of the most successful

[@FrankCurkovic]

Thanks for the comment!

[@cosmicfxx]

Nice vid! Make more like this please! Subscribed

[@FrankCurkovic]

Thanks for the sub! I am open to suggestions for future videos.

[@jonathanrodrigues7579]

Thank you!

[@FrankCurkovic]

You're welcome!

[@sparkyblazeup1]

What about David Choe?

[@FrankCurkovic]

Yeah...he could fit in, but I'm not sure I would fully call him Pop Surrealist.

[@truthmonger5791]

I'm surprised you didn't cover Christian Rex Van Minnen

[@FrankCurkovic]

Yes, he could have fit in as well!

[@AdamStejskal-yf3st]

I'm trying my hand at this kind of movement. Gaining inspiration from manga and cartoons I use sharpie markers and ink pens to create my own characters and add word bubbles to keep up the traditional comic art alive. I personally feel like this is my kind of art because these artists gain inspiration through pop cultural society rather than through nature, philosophy and religion like the old masters.

[@FrankCurkovic]

Good luck and keep at it!

[@fireproofart5526]

Very very good

[@FrankCurkovic]

Thanks for taking the time to comment! Much appreciated.

[@Fetalposse]

​@@FrankCurkovicwho made the artwork at 2:41?

[@FrankCurkovic]

That is Robert Williams, which is also the cover of GnR's "Appetite for Destruction" album.

[@lexilexikitschart3146]

Very interesting!

[@FrankCurkovic]

I think so too! Thanks for watching!

[@jcwt_pdx]

Beautiful 😍

[@FrankCurkovic]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@realkabecio]

Can you do a similar gamut of artists that do pop surrealistic style in animation?

[@FrankCurkovic]

Oh gosh, that would take me a while to research!

[@sketchv]

It's worth pointing out the term "Lowbrow" was first used when the book of Robert Williams took hold: "The Lowbrow Art Of Robert Williams."

[@FrankCurkovic]

Good piece of trivia! Thanks for the comment.

[@domone1201]

Don’t forget Greg Simkins.

[@FrankCurkovic]

Yes, I should have included him.

[@theokingshango]

Hannah Yata...best of them all

[@FrankCurkovic]

I'll check her out. Thanks!

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

Margaret Keane would have been a good addition... as would the genre of black velvet paintings..

[@FrankCurkovic]

Yes, you are right. I should have included her.

[@fslayer1290]

Would Junko Mizuno be considered as being one of the Lowbrow artists?

[@FrankCurkovic]

A Manga style, but very possible. I like her stuff.

[@williamfarr8807]

Peter Saul was doing this sort of work in the late 1950s and 160s and he is still at it.

[@FrankCurkovic]

Great and thanks for directing me to a new artist!

[@williamfarr8807]

@@FrankCurkovic Checkout Red Grooms, Jim Nutt, Hairy Who, and the Chicago imagists all from the 1960s

[@mobiditch6848]

No mention of hieronymous bosch…maybe next time, or bruegel. Both primary to surrealism…

[@FrankCurkovic]

Indeed...Bosch the great grandfather to pop surrealism. Decided to leave out to reduce video length. Perhaps I shouldn't have?

[@weeverob]

you forgot Greg Simkins

[@FrankCurkovic]

Yes, agreed. Not sure why I didn't include him. My bad.

[@cheapthrilll6323]

I would say "classic cartoon style" or something like that. That seems to be the thing that connects them all. Edit:. I don't really think surrealism is too much different from 20th century cartoonism. IMO.

[@FrankCurkovic]

Or vice versa? ; )

[@thingfish000]

In a word, weird. In two words, very weird.

[@m.f.3347]

i really dislike most pop surrealist art but this is still an excellent video

[@FrankCurkovic]

Thank you very much!

[@WALDENSOFTWARE]

So not my thing, but I can appreciate the background.

[@FrankCurkovic]

Funny you say that. At first, I wasn't a fan of pop surrealism as well. It grew on me.

[@temporoboto]

💙

[@FrankCurkovic]

Thanks!

[@Artysia-1073]

Todd schore Victor castillo Alex Grew Anthony auscin Marion Peck Haoti Natori Mark Ryten Camille Rose Garcia Tara Mcphirsen Joe Cole Jeff Soto Ron English JOSH Agel Gary Bassen Barry Miggy Tim Biscot Aurorey Makasaki

[@FrankCurkovic]

A few typos, but I take this is the list of artists you like?

[@robertafierro5592]

LowBrow art??

[@FrankCurkovic]

Indeed

[@apollyon3034]

Damn never realized there were no significant black artist in this genre and movement, or at least no one cares enough to mention them.

[@FrankCurkovic]

Thanks for the comment. There is the whole Afro-Surrealist movement: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afro-Surrealism#:~:text=Notable%20practitioners%20and%20inspirations%20of,Delany%2C%20and%20Romare%20Bearden.

[@apollyon3034]

@@FrankCurkovic I'm sure you have no malice in this comment but it comes across to me, as if there is no place is surrealism for black artists. That there would need to be a whole separate genre for them, when truly afro-surrealism expresses all that surrealism does but through a black lense and while highlighting black issues. Black people exist within surrealism, creating art without a focus on or reference to their race. It's a great video don't get me wrong, just a lil disheartening to think my art would never be featured in a video like this because it would be relegated to a totally different genre because I'm black.

[@FrankCurkovic]

@@apollyon3034 Gosh...not my intent at all. In my video, I only focused historically as was interested in the topic myself, without knowing too much about it at first. Do you have certain specific artists to share in case people read these comments or if I decide to make a follow up video?

[@apollyon3034]

@@FrankCurkovic sorry if I didn't explain myself well. I really meant more the comment (on afro-surrealism) than the video. I think you made an amazing video that doesn't need to be adjusted. I don't think you did anything wrong, I'm sure that none of your research lead you to any black artists without also relating the work to it's own sub genre. My favorite surrealist artist is David Alabo. While he does create afro-surrealism he doesn't plenty of non race-based art (depending on how you read it). I want to be clear that I think you made and excellent video and I don't think it was a reflection of your abilities that there was a lack of black artist and is more due to underrepresentation in media.

[@whatifyouandi]

Manga. Anime. As influence.

[@FrankCurkovic]

That is correct.

[@Moodboard39]

Surprised u didn't mention the polish artist. Forgot his name, his art very dark, horror.

[@FrankCurkovic]

Let me know when you remember.

[@MrReaperofDead]

Honestly, I would compare pop surrealism with the devil trying to draw cartoons. Most artworks done by these artists are just _wrong_ and feel vulgar and just not cool. They don't pass the vibe check. Take Mark Ryden for example, who consistently paints literal naked children in his paintings. Nobody ever talks about that ever or criticizes it. Pop surrealism is perverted, misguided, and low moral, and it's a shame, because as a cubist who uses expressionism, I see the charm that could've been being constantly tarnished by artists whose inappropriate fetishes manifested into their art.

[@FrankCurkovic]

Hmm...I'm not sure what the "vibe check" means and haven't really considered your thoughts before. I get, understand your views and opinions and welcome them. Why not? To each their own. However, the term low-brow did refer to fringe art, hence the title. One essay by Carlo McCormick has a quote that sums of Ryden pretty well: "Mark Ryden does not celebrate evil, even it's its most campy denatured form. Quite to the contrary, his art-making can be seen as an elaborate charade of avoidance towards life's grimmer realities. His is an utterly pure infantilistic escapism." (source: www.markryden.com/at-play-in-the-slaughterhouse-of-american-pop#:~:text=Mark%20Ryden%20does%20not%20celebrate,an%20utterly%20pure%20infantilistic%20escapism.) I do like your line "the devil trying to draw cartoons." Thanks for sharing your thoughts and taking the time to comment.

[@djsnyder001]

Not low brow art bruh . . . Americana.

[@FrankCurkovic]

not sure i'd agree with that.

[@Pepewannahug]

Thank you ❤

[@FrankCurkovic]

You're welcome 😊 Thanks for taking the time to comment!