Eduardo Paolozzi's Surrealist pop art on view at Yorkshire Sculptural Park

Never seen before works of British artist Eduardo Paolozzi are being displayed at Yorkshire Sculpture Park's gallery. In an exhibition titled ‘Upper Space,' Paolozzi’s politically charged printed pop art works from the 60s and 70s will finally be revealed.

Keeping with the theme of animation – KAW’s sculptures that are currently taking over the park itself – Paolozzi’s similarly abstract and surreal vision is being explored indoors. The vibrant collection from the artist features a psychedelic medley of war paraphernalia, Hollywood icons, robotics and animals, all of which have been pixelated to form his graphic posters.

All the featured forms arrive from Paolozzi's super scrapbook, itself installed in ‘Upper Space.’ Made up of cutouts from American publications and comics, the scrapbook reveals his interest in US pop culture and post-war effects on the country from a young age.

We notice this flurry of juxtaposing pictures transformed into his cubist, outlandish art. The kaleidoscopic Hollywood Wax Museum and Human Fate And World Powers are both from the From Zero Energy Experimental Pile series featuring similar images of brains alongside robots (and one containing a small shot of Marilyn Monroe). These appear more political than the slightly less disorientating patchwork print King Kong King Kong From Moonstrips Empire News.

'All human experience is just one big collage,' Eduardo Paolozzi said in 1984, echoing the amalgamation of the diverse imagery here that is slightly overwhelming to the eye, yet energetically fun.

Upper Space’ remains on show at Yorkshire Sculpture Park till 12 June – the same time KAW’s towering cartoons are set to come down – marking an end to the spendid whimsical play at the Park.

In an exhibition titled ‘Upper Space,' Paolozzi's abstract and surreal vision from the 60s and 70s is being explored. Pictured: Decency and Decorum in Production from General Dynamic F.U.N., 1965-70. 

The vibrant collection from the Italian artist features a psychedelic medley of war paraphernalia, Hollywood icons, robotics and animals, all that have been pixelated or patterned forming his graphic posters. Pictured: installation view. Courtesy of the Eduardo Paolozzi Foundation

Made up of cutouts from American publications and comics, the scrapbook reveal his interest in US pop culture and post-war effects on the country. Pictured: Secrets Of The Internal Combustion Engine From Moonstrips Empire News, 1967.

Upper Space’ remains on show at Yorkshire Sculpture park till 12 June. Human Fate And World Powers From Zero Energy Experimental Pile, 1969 70. 

INFORMATION

Eduardo Paolozzi is on show at Yorkshire Sculpture Park till 12 June. For more information, visit the website

ADDRESS

Yorkshire Sculpture Park
West Bretton
Wakefield
WF4 4LG

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