13/09/1928 – 19/05/2018
Robert Indiana, born Robert Clark in 1928 in New Castle, Indiana, and passed away in 2018 in Vinalhaven, Maine, was a world-renowned American artist. He is famous for his iconic works that integrate words and numbers, and for his central role in the Pop Art movement. Indiana quickly established himself as a major figure in contemporary art thanks to his distinctive style and powerful visual messages.
He studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Maine before moving to New York in the 1950s. There, he adopted the name Robert Indiana in homage to his home state and began developing his characteristic style, using simple geometric shapes and bright colors to create works that explore American identity, culture, and politics.
Indiana is best known for his sculpture “LOVE,” created in 1964, which has become an icon of modern art. The sculpture, with its distinctive arrangement of the letters L, O, V, E, and the tilted O, has been reproduced in countless formats, including postage stamps and posters. This work embodies universal themes of love and peace and has been installed in cities around the world, from New York to Tokyo.
In addition to “LOVE,” Indiana created many other important works, such as “EAT,” “HOPE,” and “ART,” which use words to convey social and political messages. His repeated use of simple but meaningful words made him a pioneer in the integration of language and visual art.
Indiana’s works are often interpreted as commentaries on the American Dream, commercialization, and personal identity. His work reflects a deep understanding of the cultural and political forces of his time, while remaining accessible and visually appealing.
Indiana also worked in other mediums, including painting and printmaking, and his works have been exhibited in many prestigious institutions, such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
