Appropriation
A practice central to the world of contemporary art during the 1980s, appropriation refers to the borrowing of familiar objects and images, and applying them to new and unconventional artistic contexts. The rise of consumerism and mass media broadcasting during these years allowed artists to make use of recognisable images from popular culture in their work. The technique has been rendered across several iconic movements such as Dadaism, Surrealism, and Pop Art.
Appropriation has been specifically attributed to certain contemporary artists, and some of their works have become globally recognized for their unorthodox and juxtaposing style. From Salvador Dalí's Lobster Telephone, to Andy Warhol's iconic pop art collages to Marcel Duchamp's “readymade" working of a men's urinal, the use of appropriation can certainly be recognized across a variety of contemporary movements.
Today, appropriation remains a popular tool in the contemporary world, and we have curated a selection of artists whose work echoes this striking and innovative practice. Some of our favorites include Annick B. Cuadrado, Jeff Koons and Bertrand Lavier. If you're searching for works which surprise and delight, check out our top picks!
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Dali Illustrates Casanova - Plate 11
Salvador Dali
Print - 47 x 32.2 x 0.3 cm Print - 18.5 x 12.7 x 0.1 inch
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Dernier Combat de Tristan
Salvador Dali
Print - 44 x 31.6 x 0.1 cm Print - 17.3 x 12.4 x 0 inch
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The Betrothed of the King of Algarve
Salvador Dali
Print - 45 x 31 x 0.1 cm Print - 17.7 x 12.2 x 0 inch
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The Dance from the series The Arts
Salvador Dali
Print - 70 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch
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The Search for Golden Fleece
Salvador Dali
Print - 76 x 56.5 x 0.1 cm Print - 29.9 x 22.2 x 0 inch
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Dali Illustrates Casanova - Plate 13
Salvador Dali
Print - 47 x 32.2 x 0.3 cm Print - 18.5 x 12.7 x 0.1 inch
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Plate from 'Tristan and Isolde': The Three Bad Barons
Salvador Dali
Print - 44 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print - 17.3 x 12.6 x 0 inch
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Plate from 'Tristan and Isolde': Isolde of the White Hands
Salvador Dali
Print - 44 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print - 17.3 x 12.6 x 0 inch
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Plate from 'Tristan and Isolde': Le geant Beliagog (The Giant Beliagog)
Salvador Dali
Print - 44 x 32 x 0.1 cm Print - 17.3 x 12.6 x 0 inch
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L'Immortalitè Tetraedrique du cube
Salvador Dali
Print - 60 x 80 x 0.1 cm Print - 23.6 x 31.5 x 0 inch
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The Beloved Feeds between the Lilies
Salvador Dali
Print - 56.5 x 37.5 x 0.1 cm Print - 22.2 x 14.8 x 0 inch
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Victoire de l'homme primitif
Salvador Dali
Print - 48 x 65 x 0.2 cm Print - 18.9 x 25.6 x 0.1 inch
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The Agony of Love (The Unicorn)
Salvador Dali
Print - 74.6 x 54.6 x 0.3 cm Print - 29.375 x 21.5 x 0.1 inch
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Lincoln in Dalivision
Salvador Dali
Sculpture - 72.4 x 48.3 x 2.5 cm Sculpture - 28.5 x 19 x 1 inch
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The Bird Has Flown from the Carmen suite
Salvador Dali
Print - 65 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print - 25.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch
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L'Ange de la Melancolie from the Aurelia Suite (Angel of Melancholy)
Salvador Dali
Print - 56 x 76 x 2 cm Print - 22 x 29.9 x 0.8 inch
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The Three Graces of Hawaii - Tarot: Three of Cups
Salvador Dali
Print - 74.9 x 54.6 cm Print - 29.5 x 21.5 inch
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Famille de centaures marsupiaux
Salvador Dali
Print - 76 x 56 x 1 cm Print - 29.9 x 22 x 0.4 inch
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Lincoln In Dalivision
Salvador Dali
Sculpture - 21.6 x 16.5 x 0.1 cm Sculpture - 8.5 x 6.5 x 0 inch
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Adam et Eve from the Homage a Albrecht Durer Suite
Salvador Dali
Print - 74.9 x 55.9 x 0.5 cm Print - 29.5 x 22 x 0.2 inch
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