Ohhh.
..Alright painting byRoy Lichtenstein’s was created in 1964 using comics’images which was originally published by Arleigh Publishing Corp, (now part ofD.C. Comics). Using a limited palette ofprimary colours that appear innocent in concept yet portray an element ofsexual attraction that somehow is confused with her distressed look. Usingblack paint as a contour to define the voluptuous red lips, almond shape blue eyes,tiny nose and floating hair red almost caught in an act of surprise, on a smallyellow background draws the viewer straight into her emotional state. She frowns in an attempt to depict her anxious state,clutching the receiver, she offers many interpretations, but what comes to mindis that of a woman almostdesperate and entirely detached from the conversation.
Ohhh…Alright…is suggestive, sensual and reflect awoman who’svulnerable, almost tearful but also composed, and in control of her emotions. Lichtenstein method is typical of severalpaintings where they seem to continue beyond the edges the canvas, given theimpression that woman are yet to be freed. Lichtenstein choice of paints not tomention the black contours clearly is drawn from the work of modernist Dutchartist Piet Mondrian. The points (or dots) although are blown up and cropped usingcomics’images and various stencil techniques, are an interpretation of theImpressionist style and Monet in particular.
An image, cold and simple fire the imagination. Hiswork was beautifully executed, yet full of irony and wit.The use of comics appealed to Lichtenstein, andtherefore he could never go back to the previous form of art of his earlycareer. Throughout his career he continues to be influenced by the work ofPicasso and Matisse applying mechanical precision, to transform currentcommercial images into art. He treated his work more as marks than a subject;he examines his work from various angles, almost to eliminate any excess ordoubling of. He thrived on contradiction and transformed his original sourcesof inspiration. He considered that the position of lines is important ratherthan the character of it.
Liechtenstein imitated the technique of massproduction in the same way as mechanical reproduction has imitated thetechniques of artists. His approach to work was playful, and by 1964 anddespite the controversy about pop art, Lichtenstein reputation was establishedas one of the most iconic pop artist.
