Tom Wesselmann

On the occasion of Tom Wesselmann's solo exhibition 'Up Close', Almine Rech London organized a panel talk with Mark Godfrey, Art historian and critic; Jeffrey Sturges, Director of exhibitions at the Estate of Tom Wesselmann; and Almine Rech, founder of the gallery. The conversation was moderated by Louisa Buck, contemporary art correspondent at The Art Newspaper. 

Even at the dawn of the "Golden Age of Porn"—a period that is often cited as beginning with the 1969 release of Andy Warhol’s explicit film Blue Movie and continued with the widespread distribution of X-rated films such as Deep Throat in 1972 and The Devil and Miss Jones in 1973—Wesselmann’s temerarious isolation of the erect penis as the central compositional feature of his canvases are nothing short of confrontational. Without any narrative recourse to explain what or who is the object of longing, the picture itself does not reveal if these are straight or gay boners; the indeterminacy of their sexual orientation adds to their radicality. Yet for years these works were suspected of misogyny because of the artist’s heterosexual identity. When read at face value, Wesselmann’s paintings are less about a specific desire or identity politics, than a celebration of erotic agency as such. His pricks are Popified—deliberately simplified forms (barely perceptible veins! not too much anatomical accuracy!), flat bold color, unflinching compositions in which the male member occupies the horizon line, layered over a seascape or a domestic interior. Along with his other fragmented genitalia paintings, these penis paintings function as unadulterated totems of libidinal liberation.  

— Alison Gingeras

Tom Wesselmann was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on February 23, 1931. He attended Hiram College in Ohio from 1949 to 1951 before entering the University of Cincinnati. In 1953, his studies were interrupted by a two-year enlistment in the army, during which time he began drawing cartoons. He returned to the university in 1954 and received a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1956. During this time, he decided to pursue a career in cartooning and so enrolled at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. After graduation he moved to New York City, where he was accepted into the Cooper Union and where his focus shifted dramatically to fine art. He received his diploma in 1959.

Tom Wesselmann emerged as a pivotal figure in the American Pop Art movement of the 1960s, setting aside abstract expressionism to embrace classical representations. His art, particularly in nudes, still lifes, and landscapes, carved out a unique niche with its integration of collage elements and assemblages. 

These works often included everyday objects and advertising materials, reflecting his ambition to create imagery as impactful as the abstract expressionism he revered. Wesselmann is renowned for his 'American Nude' series, marked by sensuous forms and vibrant colors. His 'Standing Still Life' series of the 1970s, featuring free-standing shaped canvases, magnified intimate objects to an impressive scale, showcasing his innovative approach to art.