As an artist, Richard Pettibone has garnered acclaim for his works that often replicate, reinterpret, and reframe iconic works of art from the likes of Andy Warhol, Frank Stella, and other masters of Pop Art.
Born on January 5th 1938, Richard Pettibone’s Appropriation art involves the reuse of existing images or objects, transforming them into smaller versions of themselves.
His first foray with appropriation came when his teacher accused him of tracing the ‘Wonder Bread’ wrapper.
Richard Pettibone Warhol pieces are especially notable, with Pettibone creating miniatures of Warhol’s Brillo Box and Campbell's Soup Can sculptures.
Through this re-contextualizing, Richard Pettibone's artworks invited viewers to reconsider the meaning of appropriation, originality, and authorship in art.
His last creations were three 5-by-7-inch canvases that he rubber-stamped with dialogue from the movie "Barbie" in red and black ink.
The irony was added to Richard Pettibone's work by his decision to replicate the works of prominent avant-garde artists whose careers frequently revolved around themes of replication themselves.