Purple Haze: The Meaning & Symbolism of Purple in Pop Art
Exploring the diverse history and interpretations of the colour purple – and its role in capturing my famous pop art music icons
As an artist who captures the world’s favourite music icons in my signature, Jackson Pollock-inspired Pop Art painting style, colour is a key interest of and an important element in my artwork. Matching the appropriate shade to the personality I am painting is fundamental to an effective pop art portrait; different colours tell different stories and convey different emotions.
I aim to incorporate as many different colours and colour schemes within my collection of paintings as possible, and one colour I have enjoyed painting with in particular is purple. Some of the most popular music icons in my range are my purple-painted portraits of Diana Ross, Jimi Hendrix and Prince.
In pop art, purple takes on a rebellious persona, challenging societal norms and embracing individualism. Unlike its traditional association with royalty and prestige, purple in pop art becomes a dynamic symbol of counterculture, injecting vibrancy and dissent into the artistic narrative.
In this blog post I explore the historical roots and contemporary interpretations of the colour purple. I explore its transition from traditional art to the dynamic world of Pop Art. Join me on this exploration of colour and learn why this is such an important colour in my range of By Kerwin paintings.
The Historical Roots of Purple in Art
Purple, a colour born from nature’s scarcity, has its roots intertwined with prestige and opulence. Its historical journey begins with the rarity of purple pigments, extracted laboriously from sources like snails and mollusc secretions, and rare flowers.
In the course of art history, purple emerged as a symbol of exclusivity and affluence. During the Renaissance, artists wielded this regal hue to convey power and status. Renaissance paintings adorned with deep purples underscored the social standing of depicted figures, echoing the societal fascination with this luxurious shade.
Over time, however, the colour purple has taken on different meanings and symbolism. It is associated with spirituality and mystery, and in the 20th century become linked to the psychedelia movement (hence the purple in my Jimi Hendrix 1970s-inspired painting) as well as fun and dynamic in the Pop Art movement.
Join me on a voyage through time as I explore how the scarcity and sumptuousness of purple pigment wove tales of grandeur and prominence in the artistic narratives of bygone eras.
Purple in Traditional Art vs. Pop Art
In pop art, purple takes on a rebellious persona, challenging societal norms and embracing individualism. Unlike its traditional association with royalty and prestige, purple in pop art becomes a dynamic symbol of counterculture, injecting vibrancy and dissent into the artistic narrative. The colour evolves from a mark of status to a badge of defiance, embodying the spirit of a transformative era.
In the evolution from traditional to pop art, the role of purple underwent a transformative evolution, reflecting the changing tides of artistic expression. Traditionally, purple served as a symbol of prestige and solemnity, gracing the canvases of religious and aristocratic portraits.
However, the advent of pop art prompted revolutionary and controversial use of colours, reshaping the narrative around this majestic hue. Pioneers like Andy Warhol elevated purple to new heights, using it not just as a symbol of status but as a dynamic tool to challenge conventional norms.
Pop Art’s Revolutionary Interpretation of Purple
In the kaleidoscopic world of pop art, purple took on a bold vibrancy, becoming a vehicle for social commentary and a nod to the burgeoning consumer culture. Warhol’s iconic use of purple in pieces like “Marilyn Diptych” redefined the colour’s role, making it accessible and relatable to a broader audience.
Other pop artists have utilised purple as a tool to bridge high and low art, breaking down barriers and engaging with the pulse of popular culture. The juxtaposition of traditional symbolism with pop art’s exuberance in their use of purple unveils a dynamic dialogue between the past and the contemporary, inviting viewers to reconsider the language of colour in art.
Symbolism and Impact of Purple in Pop Art
Purple, within the dynamic landscape of pop art, transcends its historical connotations, morphing into a symbol of rebellion, counterculture, and individualism. In this kaleidoscope of hues, purple emerged as a potent voice challenging societal norms. Pop artists harnessed its vibrancy to communicate messages beyond the canvas, transforming it into a conduit for cultural commentary.
The symbolism of purple in pop art speaks volumes about the era’s defiance of the status quo. It became a rallying colour for those questioning authority and embracing the countercultural movements of the 1960s. Artists like Andy Warhol used the colour to elevate the cultural icons he depicted to an almost mythical status, questioning the traditional pedestals of fame.
Many pop artists infused the colour with a sense of rebellion against artistic norms. Purple in pop art became a visual language of dissent, inviting viewers to question and challenge the established order.
The cultural impact of pop art’s favourite purple-infused pieces resonates beyond the gallery walls. They encapsulate a moment in time when purple transformed from a symbol of regality to a badge of defiance, etching itself into the collective consciousness as a hue that embodies the spirit of rebellion and individualism.
My own ‘By Kerwin’ pop art paintings (created with my signature Jackson Pollock-inspired action painting technique) also utilise purple to achieve striking and eye-catching results. I even devoted a day to this colour at one of my art exhibitions; my Pop! Goes The Easel exhibition in Norwich celebrated Purple Saturday on 2nd December 2023.
By Kerwin Purple Painted Music Icons
My Diana Ross, Jimi Hendrix and Prince paintings are among the most popular in my collection. While this is in part due to the iconic legacies of each of these artists, my paintings capture them in unique ways, and the purple helps make them particularly eye-catching to visitors at my exhibitions and to my online shop.
My Diana Ross painting captures her in an elegant and gazing pose during The Supremes era; the choice of purple colour helps add a further sense of elegance and sophistication to this piece. The use of purple combined with the action-painted cyan and and pink splashes also conveys a cosmic sense to this painting that invites the viewer to explore further, which I particularly like too.
My Jimi Hendrix painting – inspired by the elements of his Axis: Bold As Love album cover (read about the meaning behind this album artwork in my blog post here), utilises purple to convey a different mood in this painting. The purple here lends a very psychedelic feel to this portrait, which, coupled with the paisley and floral elements, captures Hendrix at the peak of his enigmatic 1970s powers.
The purple in my Prince painting needs no further explanation! Different layers of purple here interact with orange and gold for a warm and stylish finish in a Purple Rain-inspired piece.
The Versality of the Colour Purple
The versatility of the colour purple lies in its unique ability to traverse a spectrum of emotions and atmospheres, making it a captivating presence in the palette. Positioned between the warmth of red and the coolness of blue, purple effortlessly captures the essence of both extremes.
From regal deep purples conveying sophistication to the playful vibrancy of lavender, its warm undertones evoke a sense of passion and energy.
Conversely, cooler shades of purple, reminiscent of twilight skies, instil a calm and contemplative ambiance. This duality allows artists to harness the colour’s expressiveness, offering a broad range of emotions and experiences on the canvas.
Conclusion
In the vivid canvas of art history, purple emerges as a dynamic force in the world of pop art, transcending its regal roots to become a symbol of rebellion and individualism.
By exploring its historical roots, its evolution from traditional to pop art, and the symbolism embedded in this captivating hue, the unique role of purple in shaping artistic narratives becomes evident.
I invite you to explore the rich power of this colour in the paintings in my online shop, where my purple-themed icons can be found as purchased as prints.
Dive into my expressive world of pop art, where each painting tells a vibrant story, challenges conventions and celebrates the spirit of creativity. All of my prints are available in different sizes, with fast worldwide delivery.
What does the colour purple mean to you in art, or make you think of? Explore my Diana Ross, Jimi Hendrix and Prince purple paintings and prints in my online shop
Read about my Pop! Goes The Easel winter 2023 art exhibition in Norwich, in which I dedicated a day to the colour purple. Learn more about the pop art movement in my dedicated Music & Pop Art blog section here.
My full range of Jackson Pollock-inspired acrylic paintings can be viewed at www.bykerwin.com – the originals and prints of these are available to purchase, with worldwide delivery. You can follow my art progress on Instagram and Facebook.
