“Select-o-Mat Tempest I,” created in 1972 by artist Peter Phillips, is a notable work within the Pop Art movement. This figurative artwork encapsulates the essence of the era’s cultural interplay and technological fascination.
The artwork vividly intermingles diverse elements, forming a vibrant and dynamic composition. A bright purple car, adorned with reflective highlights, anchors the piece amidst a backdrop of soft, multi-colored squares creating an ethereal ambiance. Intricately detailed metallic springs and gadgets are juxtaposed with realistic depictions of birds, showcasing the coexistence of mechanical and organic forms. Radiating lines on the left side suggest motion or energy, while the mechanical components interlace forming abstract patterns, drawing the viewer’s focus across different sections. Peter Phillips uses these contrasting motifs to explore and celebrate the interplay between natural beauty and man-made ingenuity, quintessential attributes of the Pop Art movement.
