Popaganda: The Art and Subversion of Ron English [Paperback]

Ron English (Author), Colin Moynihan (Introduction), Carlo McCormick (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 9, 2001

Ron English first gained fame in 1982 by surreptitiously reworking billboards to offer stinging critiques of American society, risking arrest in the process. English's career since has covered a wide trajectory, incorporating neo-surrealist paintings, staged photographs, street art and music. POPAGANDA covers the full range of his achievements, including the lyrics to his songs and his most recent work. With an introductory essay by Carlo McCormick and Colin Moynihan, this book will be of interest to artists and art lovers, as well as followers of street and youth culture.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ron English is the well respected artist who's work is in numerous public collections including The Whitney Museum of American Art and The Museum of Modern Art in Paris. He has also been featured in magazines internationally including Der Spiegel, Elle, Art News, Juxtapoz and Detour Magazine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Soft Skull Press (June 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887128603
• ISBN-13: 978-1887128605
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,423,800 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars English speaks my language, February 5, 2002

By 

A. Liebling (Long Island City, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Popaganda: The Art and Subversion of Ron English (Paperback)

This glossy, colorful book collects Ron English's great works and accomplishments, spanning his 20 years of using and twisting pop art to subvert itself, popular culture, and commercialistic overkill. Although a painter, street artist, and musician, English is best known for his hilarious - and sometimes dangerous - billboard work, whereby he would covertly paint over hundreds of billboards to convey an ironic, social point, sometimes done so well that the original doesn't appear altered. One of his thoughtful pranks was to paint a close-up of Charles Manson in the style of Mac's "Think Different" ads, to point out Mac's tasteless use of geniuses and great humanitarians to sell their products. Big Tobacco is another common victim of English's talent and wit, and his Joe Camel spoofs are more effective and affective than any government-funded anti-tobacco advertisement.

Ron English's work successfully addresses the Disneyification of America, the blatant commercialism of pop art, the uncontested corporate (and irresponsible) intrusion into people's lives, and the nonstop barrage of advertising that forces itself upon us everywhere we turn. His works throw a stick into the cogs, jamming popular culture for just a moment, so that for the split second you take in his work, you can actually "think different."

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WHAT A PICTURE, October 19, 2001

By 

JON (NY,NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Popaganda: The Art and Subversion of Ron English (Paperback)

A VISUAL EXTRAVAGANZA.I COULDN'T BELEIVE HOW MANY WAYS RON ENGLISH CAN SCREW WITH YOUR HEAD. A GREAT BOOK

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brava Popaganda!, August 11, 2001

By 

Squidilly "Squidilly" (Alameda, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Popaganda: The Art and Subversion of Ron English (Paperback)

Having been a protege of Ron English during the early years of his career, I am thrilled to read a comprehensive telling of his accomplishments. From his early surealistic photography tableau to illegal billboards to his brilliant current work, Ron English's art always puts his message in your face. Ron English is the ringmaster of a circus of eager zealots who will do practically anything to participate in his creative events. It is a fascinating phenomenon to observe - and even more inspiring to participate! Well written and researched, this volume gives insight into the artist's personal and creative processes. The extensive visuals and photos help tell the story of a great artist's career. Where will Ron English go from here? You should definitely tune in to find out more.