One of the founding figures of British Pop Art, Joe Tilson was a vocal supporter of political activism and social change. He consistently broke the boundaries of painting and print-making. By 1970, Tilson became increasingly disillusioned with the consumer society that Pop Art represented, and increasingly frustrated with the lack of political action that 1960s in Britain had promised. Shortly after he moved from London to the countryside and his subject matter changed radically as he turned towards cultural history as a source of inspiration. Moon, with its mantra-like use of the word 'moon' nearly filling the page, show’s Tilson’s interest in language, puzzle-making, visual play and symbols.
JOE TILSON (b.1928, British)
Soft ground etching and aquatint
86 x 64 cm
Acquired in 2011
