Robert Indiana, born Robert Clark in New Castle in 1928, became a central figure in the pop art and hard-edge painting movements. After serving in the United States Army Air Forces, he pursued formal training in Chicago, Maine, and Edinburgh before establishing his career in New York City, where his aesthetic shifted under the influence of Ellsworth Kelly.
Formative Years and Influences
Educated at Arsenal Technical High School, where he graduated as valedictorian, Indiana later attended the Art Institute of Chicago and the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. In 1953, he relocated to Scotland to study at the University of Edinburgh and the Edinburgh College of Art. Upon returning to the United States in 1954, he settled in New York City. His membership in the Coenties Slip community proved pivotal, allowing him to connect with artists including Jack Youngerman, Agnes Martin, and Cy Twombly.
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Indiana changed his surname in 1958, adopting the name of his home state. His professional standing advanced in the early 1960s when Alfred H. Barr Jr. acquired his work, The American Dream, I, for the Museum of Modern Art. He became known for using bold, vernacular language in his compositions, including words such as EAT, DIE, HUG, and ERR. His 1964 EAT sign, commissioned by Philip Johnson for the New York World's Fair, was deactivated shortly after the opening due to public confusion.
Development of the LOVE Series
The artist achieved international prominence with his LOVE motif, first created as a card in 1964. In 1965, the Museum of Modern Art selected the design for its annual Christmas card, utilizing a red, blue, and green color scheme. By 1966, Indiana collaborated with Marian Goodman of Multiples, Inc. to produce the first aluminum sculpture based on the design. A monumental version in Cor-Ten steel was completed in 1970 for the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1978, Indiana moved permanently to Vinalhaven, Maine, residing in a building known as The Star of Hope. Throughout his career, he explored diverse media, including costume and set design for the opera The Mother of Us All, and created Peace Paintings following the events of September 11, 2001. His final years were marked by seclusion. He died of respiratory failure on May 19, 2018, at the age of 89.
Fast facts
- Born: 1928, New Castle
- Died: 2018, Vinalhaven
- Notable Works: LOVE, Numbers 1-0
- Movement: Pop art, Hard-edge painting
- Education: University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh College of Art, Arsenal Technical High School
- Citizenship: United States
Questions readers ask
What inspired the LOVE artwork?
The design was influenced by the artist's relationship and subsequent breakup with fellow artist Ellsworth Kelly.
What is the Star of Hope?
It is a Victorian-style building in Vinalhaven, Maine, which served as the artist's home and studio.
Achievements
- Notable work: Love
- Notable work: Numbers 1-0
- Movement: pop art and hard-edge painting
