“F-111,” created by James Rosenquist between 1964 and 1965, is a seminal work of the Pop Art movement. Executed in oil on canvas, this figurative artwork is housed in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, NY, USA.
The artwork is a monumental, multi-panel depiction that intertwines elements of advertising, consumer goods, and military imagery. Dominated by vibrant, contrasting colors, it features segments of an F-111 fighter jet overlaid with various images, including a tire, a child’s face with a diver’s helmet, a mushroom cloud, and mundane household items such as spaghetti. This juxtaposition of disparate elements draws attention to the contrasts and connections between consumer culture and military power, creating a complex and provocative visual narrative. The intricate amalgamation of motifs invites viewers to reflect on the era’s socio-political climate, as well as the often dissonant relationship between everyday life and the looming presence of technological and military advancements.
