29.5 × 35 in
in
cm
Price: $10,000 USD
Please enquire for a custom shipping quote.
$15,000
plus shipping & taxes
This striking silkscreen is reminiscent of Robert Indiana’s LOVE sculpture that exemplified 1960s movements and endured far beyond that decade. The Four Seasons of Hope series features this iconic design—also rendered in sculpture form, currently residing near Times Square in NYC—in four seasonal colour combinations. Autumn bursts from the canvas in bold reds and yellows, the stylization of the text upholding the artist’s goal of presenting words everyone knows in unexpected ways, giving them more weight and emotion and inviting the viewer to think about what “hope” means to them.
Pencil signed and numbered.
| Medium | Prints |
| Signature | Signed |
| Frame | Unframed |
| Condition | Excellent |
| Seller | Private |
| Location | USA |
| Provenance | Private Collection, USA |
Robert Indiana holds a unique place in contemporary art. He transformed the everyday symbols of roadside America into vibrant, geometric pop art, using his work as both cultural commentary and, during the rebellious 1960s, a platform for sharp political statements.
Born Robert Clark in New Castle, Indiana, in 1928, he adopted the name of his home state as his professional surname early in his career. Indiana’s creations, which he called “sculptural poems,” are marked by bold, simple imagery featuring numbers and short words such as “EAT,” “HUG,” and “LOVE.” Unlike many of his Pop Art contemporaries who drew heavily from mass media imagery, Indiana used words to explore themes of identity. Rendered in vivid colours and bold block letters, these words invite viewers to reconsider the commonplace from a fresh perspective.
Although Indiana’s methods are distinct, his work firmly situates him within the Pop Art movement. Like Andy Warhol, who reproduced images of celebrities and consumer goods, Indiana offers a direct and unvarnished reflection of American culture while maintaining an air of detachment. His most iconic series features familiar words—typically three to five letters long—repeated, mirrored, or divided. Their simplicity and flat presentation exemplify Pop Art’s accessibility, allowing viewers to engage with his work on an immediate level without searching for deeper meanings.
What sets Indiana apart from his Pop Art peers, however, is the depth of his personal connection to his subject matter. His works engage with significant forces shaping American culture in the latter half of the 20th century: personal and national identity, political and social turmoil, the rise of consumerism, and the weight of historical legacy. Through his art, Indiana both critiques and celebrates the American way of life, challenging viewers to reflect on their own perceptions.
By presenting familiar words in unconventional ways, Indiana encourages audiences to reevaluate the assumptions and emotions tied to these words. For instance, the word “EAT” transcends its literal meaning to evoke broader social and cultural connotations. It may remind viewers of intimacy and the role of food in family, community, and romantic traditions, while also critiquing societal issues like unhealthy diets in consumer-driven culture.
Indiana’s most famous work, the LOVE sculpture of 1966, exemplifies this approach. Featuring bold block letters in bright colours and dividing the word into two parts, Indiana transforms “LOVE” into something unfamiliar, urging viewers to contemplate its personal significance. His exploration of “LOVE” extended into themes of complex relationships and spirituality, making the work a deeply introspective examination of a universal concept.
Robert Indiana’s art challenges viewers to see the ordinary anew, blending cultural critique with personal reflection. Through his iconic works, he captures the complexities of modern life, leaving an enduring legacy in both Pop Art and American culture.
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