Jasper Johns

Artist: Jasper Johns

Title: Three Flags
Media: Encaustic on canvas
Dimensions: 30 7/8 x 45 1/2 x 5 in

Biography information:

 Jasper Johns was born on May 15, 1930 in South Carolina. He studied at the University of South Carolina and then moved to study at the Parsons School of Design. He served in the U.S. military during 1952-1953 during the Korean War, where he was stationed in Sendai, Japan. After his service, he returned to New York and at the age of 28 had his first solo show. His paintings of maps, flags, and targets lead the artistic community from Abstract Expressionism to a more concrete art. The meanings of his work and the continuous change of his style continues to create controversy.

Statement on the work: 

"It all began with my painting a picture of an American flag. Using this design took care of a great deal for me because I didn’t have to design it. So I want on to similar things like the targets things the mind already knows. That gave me room to work on other levels. For instance, I’ve always thought of a painting as a surface; painting it in one color made this very clear… …A picture ought to be looked at the same way you look at a radiator."

Background info on the work:

The flag of the United States of America is placed over itself by using encaustic. Japer Johns uses flags commonly in his work. His experience in the military might be the reason for the use of flags and maps in his works.

Connects to theme and why I chose it: 

I choose this art work because it represents love for one’s country. The flag of the United States is shown three times on top of each other maybe symbolizing that there is no other flag above it. The fact that Johns was in the military and he continues to include flags of the U.S. in his work means that he loves his country.