Pop Classicism

Pop Classicism, as I conceive it, rests on three foundational beliefs shaping my artistic philosophy. Firstly, I posit that enduring art emerges from commercialism, be it the iconic Coca Cola Santa Claus or the timeless frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. All art that withstands time, in my view, originates in the realm of commercial expression.

Secondly, I reflect on the temporal nature of artistic creation. Michelangelo, crafting the Sistine Chapel, couldn’t have foreseen its enduring legacy. Similarly, Fred Mizen, creator of the widely embraced Santa Claus, couldn’t predict its profound impact on the visual language of the common man during the Christmas season.

From these premises arises the third tenet of Pop Classicism—the belief that contemporary works dismissed as “Pop” or “Pulp” hold the potential to evolve into timeless classics. Batman, a current pop culture symbol, may be remembered centuries from now, echoing the trajectory of Mizen’s Santa. Essentially, all hailed “Classics” were once manifestations of “Vulgar Iconography”—elements within a visual language rooted in the common experience.

This philosophy guides my sculpting choices. Deliberately opting for figures like Captain Nemo in museum-quality bronze, I aim to encapsulate the essence of what some perceive as simple Pop Art. The chosen medium not only embodies the quality befitting a potential classic but also aligns with the enduring visual language of the common man. Through these sculptures, I contribute to an artistic continuum where the boundaries between high and popular culture dissolve, and creations dismissed as mere “pop” emerge as enduring classics within the shared visual language of the common experience.