Mushroom Cloud

2000 - Painting (Painting)

Raymond Pettibon

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The five works included in the Kadist Collection are representative of Pettibon’s complex drawings which are much more narrative than comics or cartoon. The images allude to recurring topics, such as the superhero (present both in Untitled Superman and No title without the comics ), a book cover (his literary sources), or a mushroom cloud. Inspired by the writings of William Faulkner, Daniel Defoe, Gustave Flaubert, Marcel Proust, and James Joyce, Pettibon’s sophisticated, witty drawings combine image and text to explore the gamut of American popular culture.

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Before becoming famous in the art world, Raymond Pettibon’s punk-rock drawings were well-known in alternative scenes. His iconic album covers for bands such as Black Flag, Minuteman, and Sonic Youth have influenced younger artists who capture the intricacies of marginal youth and popular culture with a casual style. However, Pettibon’s graphic, comic-inspired black ink drawings of violent and antiauthoritarian subject matter remain unique.

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Colors:

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• nuclear_weapon.n.01
• annihilation.n.02
• dark_comedy.n.01
• drawing.n.02
• apocalyptic.s.01
• ending.n.04
• calligraphic
• city scenes
• collage
• comic/cartoon
• american
• born 1957
• video and installation artist
• artist's book
• contemporary artist
• drawing