Paul Dillon
Dagwood and Bumstead
1975
Lithograph edition
Artwork donated by Phil Gersh Agency, Inc. in 1977
Dillon, often used common materials such as newsprint comics, phonebook maps, rubber stamps and labels from water bottles in his artwork. By the use of repetition, Dillon calls to mind the familiar language of Pop Art icons such as Andy Warhol and his Soup Can paintings. Much like fellow pop artist Roy Lichtenstein, Dillon was drawn to the unpretentious impact that newsprint comics have on American culture. Both artists are known to subvert the comforting banality of the newsprint comics in order to critique our culture at large. Conversely, where Lichtenstein mutates and purifies the dull newsprint hues of his Sunday funnies inspirations into brilliant colors, Dillon embraces the comic’s original muted, faded grandeur.