(Image credit: royalacademy.org.uk)
Sir Peter Blake has been dubbed the Godfather of British Pop Art - and for good reason. While figures like Andy Warhol had the American art pop scene covered, Sir Peter Blake is one of the UK’s most prominent pop artists, known for his unique visual language and lasting legacy.
Known for iconic pop culture work such as the Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover, Blake is a household name among art lovers thanks to his huge contributions to culture, both at home and internationally.
We offer Peter Blake art prints for your house so you can enjoy work by the man voted Britain’s 8th most influential artist of all time in the comfort of your own home. Read on to learn more about the life and work of this fascinating artist.
Who is Sir Peter Blake?
Born in Kent in 1932, Blake was educated at the Gravesend Technical College school of art and, later, the Royal College of Art. His career began in the 1950s, when Blake began to create artwork including imagery from adverts, entertainment, and even wrestlers, creating collage images that fit into the pop art genre.
Blake emerged solidly in the Young Contemporaries exhibition of 1961, alongside other household names such as David Hockney. That same year, he went on to win the John Moores junior award for ‘Self Portrait with Badges.’
As the sixties continued, Blake was heavily associated with the ‘Swinging London’ cultural revolution, and quickly became an icon in the world of pop art. The artist had his first-ever solo exhibition in 1965 at the Robert Fraser gallery. In recognition of his contribution to the art world, Sir Peter Blake was knighted in 2002.
Peter Blake’s Artistic Style
Blake is known for bringing everyday objects into the art world, making his artwork fit firmly in the pop art sphere. His artistic style is colourful, eclectic, and he works mostly in collage and assembly.
He frequently incorporates found objects and imagery from mass media, creating works that are layered, detailed, and rich with cultural references, whether everyday objects or Hollywood icons such as Marilyn Monroe.
Blake’s work is playful, full of bold colours, and has a distinctly British feel. Some of his works are fairly minimalist, featuring just a few bold lines and images, while other collages contain many images, resulting in a fairly cluttered appearance.
Peter Blake prints also feature well-known icons, such as Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley, as well as Americana iconography, such as Coca-Cola bottles. These pop culture references root Blake firmly in his era, but his work remains timeless even today.
What makes Peter Blake stand out is not only his iconic works, such as the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's album cover, but also his ability to balance accessibility with depth. His art appeals to a wide audience while offering complex social commentary on fame, consumerism, nostalgia, and the meaning of modern life.
Peter Blake’s Famous Work
Peter Blake has plenty of iconic works, but the best-known is the cover for The Beatles’ album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, which he co-created. Released in 1967 and commissioned by Paul McCartney, the image shows a photomontage of The Beatles surrounded by pop culture icons.
Sir Peter Blake subsequently was responsible for various album covers, including covers for The Who and sleeves for Band Aid’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas 84’ and for Oasis’ Stop the Clocks' album.
Blake’s earliest significant piece is On the Balcony, which combines pop culture images with fine art. Another of Blake’s best-known works is Self-Portrait with Badges (1961), in which he painted himself wearing denim and covered in pop culture memorabilia. Blake’s The First Real Target is another pivotal piece, featuring a large, bold target on wood. It’s simple, yet iconic.
In 2012, Sir Peter Blake released Vintage Blake, a collage of a crowd featuring icons and figures from throughout Blake’s life. You can see Blake’s work not only in galleries around the country, but hanging in your own home when you buy iconic Peter Blake artwork.
Legacy and Impact
Sir Peter Blake’s legacy is wide-reaching. Not only were Blake’s artworks popular, but he also shaped Britain’s pop art scene as well as the wider world of pop art internationally.
Before Blake, the art world largely dismissed popular culture as kitsch or commercial. His work challenged that notion by demonstrating that comics, advertisements, movie stars, and pop songs could serve as serious artistic subject matter, bridging a gap between pop culture and the serious art world.
His legacy has been honoured in various ways. He became a Royal Academician in 1981, was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1983 Birthday Honours and Knight Bachelor in the 2002 Birthday Honours, all for his services to art. His work continues to appear in public installations, limited-edition prints, and educational programs, ensuring that new generations get to enjoy his playful yet profound artistic style.
Peter Blake Artwork for Your Home
Want some of this genre-defining artwork for your own home? We can make it happen with our collection of iconic Sir Peter Blake prints. With classics featuring pop culture icons as well as newer prints, like Vintage Blake, on offer, you’ll find something to complement your decor and bring the magic of Blake’s work home.
After all, displaying Blake's art in your home isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s a way to engage with the rich tapestry of 20th-century culture, art, and pop, filtered through the lens of one of the century’s most astute observers.
Final Thoughts
Blake’s artwork can be seen in person in various galleries across the country, including London’s Tate Modern. The Dartford Borough Council has a Sir Peter Blake Gallery, home to work from emerging artists and artwork of interest to the people of Dartford (Blake’s hometown).
For a taste of the Godfather of Pop Art’s work in your own front room, check out our selection of iconic Peter Blake prints, including limited edition silkscreen prints.