Ed Ruscha

Edward Ruscha (b. 1937, Nebraska) is one of the most influential artists of our time known for his paintings and prints incorporating text, urban imagery and Western landscapes. Influenced by the city of Los Angeles and his early interest in graphic arts, Ruscha’s practice comments on myths of American Romanticism, commercial culture and urban life with humor and irony. The artist continues to influence contemporary artists worldwide. His formal experimentations and clever use of the American vernacular continue to evolve in form and meaning as technology and internet platforms alter the essence of human communication. 

Ruscha earned a BFA from the Chouinard Art Institute. The artist holds numerous awards, including the National Arts Award for Artistic Excellence and the J. Paul Getty Medal. Ruscha represented the United States at the 51st Venice Biennale and is collected by institutions internationally, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (Washington DC), Whitney Museum of American Art (New York) and Château de Montsoreau-Museum of Contemporary Art (France).

Related Works

• Bruce Nauman is another master of text-based artwork, and has deeply influenced the evolution of conceptual art. View his work.
• Frank Stella also tackles nautical themes in his epic series The Waves, albeit in an abstract mode. View his work.