Peter Blake

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Bio

Peter Blake
(1932, Dartford / UK – )

Peter Blake, who was born in Kent, England, is arguably one of the most well-known and acknowledged figures of British pop art. He has attended various art schools, among them the London Royal College of Arts. Although his 1957 work On the Balcony is considered one of the early iconic pieces of British pop art, it was only around 1959 that Blake truly turned towards pop art, prompted by American influences. In his early collages and assemblages he utilized found materials, postcards, photographs, posters, and newspapers. He was keen on depicting the realities of life in Britain after the war. Among his favourite subjects were portraits of famous Englishmen and the contemporary circus. His first solo show was organized in 1960. At the time he often exhibited together with David Hockney and R.B. Kitaj. Sinatra Door (1959) is an homage to the American singer-actor Frank Sinatra (1915-1998), who was the recipient of eight Grammy Awards and three Oscars.

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Record Covers

One of his greatest successes, which gave him a reputation worldwide, was the design for the Beatles’ 1967 epoch-making record Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, which became an iconic work of pop art. On the cover is a cult group picture in which portraits of famous people from Karl Marx to Charles Darwin and Marilyn Monroe appear among the members of the band. The portraits of, among others, Hitler and Gandhi, were omitted from the final version. Later he continued designing record covers. In 2006, for example, he created one for Oasis.

World News

1959 in the world

Fidel Castro assumes power in Cuba.
Pope John XXIII announces the convocation of the II Vatican Council.
In the tense years of the Cold War, twelve parties, among them the United States and the Soviet Union, sign the Antarctic Convention, which prohibits warfare on the continent.
The manufacturing of the iconic Cadillac begins in America; the car soon became a symbol of the American dream in England.
At an international toy fair in New York the Barbie doll is introduced.
The first Mini, which has since become the symbol of the British automobile industry, is sold.

Art Life

Events in the art world in 1959

The Guggenheim Museum in New York is opened. The museum’s architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, dies the same year.
Boris Vian and George Grosz die.
Allen Kaprow presents the first public “Happening” (18 Happenings in 6 parts) at the Reuben Gallery. Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg are among the performers.
The first Paris Biennial is organized at the initiative of André Malraux. This was the world’s third biennial.

Design, Lifestyle

Clairtone Project G, Futuristic stereo system, 1960s

kép1 kép2 In the 1960s, the Canadian Clairtonne company, which manufactured electronic equipment, rapidly became widely successful with its quality stereo systems and colour televisions. In 1964, the stereo system named ‘Project G’ won a silver medal at the most prestigious international design exhibition, the Triennial in Milan. Sinatra agreed to allow the company to advertise the product with the following slogan: “Listen to Sinatra on a Project G; Sinatra does.”