James Rosenquist: His Billboards Past

James Rosenquist, famous for his work as a (pop) artist, owes a lot to his humble sign painting past.

James Rosenquist: His Billboards Past
James Rosenquist, Lanai, 1964. Oil on canvas 62 x 186 inches (157.5 x 472.4 cm). Private Collection. © Estate of James Rosenquist / Licensed by VAGA at ARS, New York.

The late pop artist James Rosenquist (1933-2017) is the subject of Acquavella Galleries’ ‘His American Life‘ exhibition, through which I have learned of his past as one of America’s leading billboard artists. It was this instagram post from the gallery that first caught my eye and I had to follow up and learn more about his artistic and sign painting story.