| Funk Art - The Concept & the History | | | | Sometimes, these works were also |
| Inspired by the contemporary trends, fashion, and | | | | autobiographical in nature that had a flow of a |
| lifestyle, Funk Art became one of the most | | | | narrative. Sculptures and assemblages formed a |
| unconventional forms of the Modern Art in the | | | | great part of the body of works by Funk artists. |
| late 1950s through 1970s. Originated in California, | | | | Three-dimensional static pieces made of ceramic |
| this art style remained active mainly in the United | | | | were a prominent style of this genre. |
| States. Funk Art represented an eclectic mix of | | | | The Artists & the Artworks |
| elements, including discarded & junk matter, | | | | Among the most prominent names associated |
| torn pieces of fabric, old furniture, and | | | | with the Funk Art Movement were Edward |
| photographs. US Funk artist Edward Kienholz | | | | Kienholz, Bruce Conner, Roy de Forest, Gladys |
| described these elements as 'the leftovers of | | | | Nilsson, George Herms, Lucas Samaras, James |
| human experience.' Similarly, Funk had varying | | | | Nutt, Paul Thek, and Colin Self. Other alumni from |
| manifestations in the form of paintings, sculptures, | | | | the University of California, who propagated this |
| and assemblages. It derived its name from the | | | | art further, included David Gilhooly, Peter |
| musical genre, 'funky.' The term 'funky' means | | | | Vandenberge, Margaret Dodd, and Chris |
| earthy, sensuous, and passionate in the musical | | | | Unterseher. Artworks, like 'I'm All a Twit' by Jim |
| parlance, but it has another meaning literally, | | | | Nutt, became the signature pieces of Funk Art. It |
| 'smelly.' The Funk artists made the second | | | | is a work in varying media, consisting of acrylic |
| connotation, fundamental to their work. | | | | paint on vinyl window and enamel paint on wood |
| The Details | | | | frame. Similarly, Gladys Nilsson's paintings capture |
| Funk Art was a reaction against the idealistic | | | | a curious mix of domesticity with the fantastical |
| seriousness of Abstract Expressionism, which the | | | | and deranged imagery. David Gilhooly, on the |
| Funk artists rejected as disconnected from reality | | | | other hand, had mastery in ceramic works and |
| and artistic social responsibility. It was consciously | | | | etching. His classic piece 'The Windshield Sam |
| executed in a distasteful manner to such an | | | | Francis,' is composed of aquatint and colored |
| extent that it was considered 'tatty' or 'sick.' | | | | etching. |
| These artists often blended humor with vulgarity | | | | Conclusion |
| and explicit representations. However, bawdiness | | | | With its diverse forms, penetrating subjects, |
| was not the ultimate aim of Funk Art movement. | | | | unusual treatment of media, and links with leading |
| The artists strived to confront the art scene in | | | | artists, Funk Art became a powerful form of |
| New York through their satirically shocking pieces. | | | | expression in the domain of Modern Art. |