Where to see Pop art in the UK
Here are five museums and galleries where you can see some great examples of Pop art and find out more about this era-defining art movement.
What is Pop art?
Born in the post-war boom of the 1950s, Pop art was a colourful rebellion against the stuffiness of tradition. Inspired by the explosion of advertising and pop culture, it embraced the everyday objects and images that lit up the world – from comic book heroes to soup cans.
In the UK, Pop art took on a subversive edge, parodying the 'American Dream' and challenging its cultural dominance, while pushing back against the modernist tradition.
In London, the Independent Group, led by figures like Richard Hamilton and Eduardo Paolozzi, emerged as a radical force. Determined to move beyond what they saw as an elitist and austere post-war culture, they created art that was inclusive of a wider audience, using bold colours, repetition and iconic imagery.
Even today, the leading artists of the time remain well-known. From Andy Warhol's screen prints of soup cans and celebrities to Roy Lichtenstein's sharp, comic book-inspired paintings, to Peter Blake's iconic album covers for The Beatles and The Who, it is impossible to escape Pop art's enduring influence.
We've picked some of the best museums and galleries across the UK to explore Pop art. Don't forget to pack your National Art Pass to get great benefits at lots of these venues.
Where can I see Pop art with an Art Pass?
National Galleries Scotland: Modern
Edinburgh's Modern boasts a significant collection of Pop art, including major works by Richard Hamilton, Eduardo Paolozzi and Andy Warhol. Don't miss their exhibition display of Eduardo Paolozzi's studio, the father of Scottish Pop art, who created collages out of glossy magazines and comic books and went on to redesign Tottenham Court Road tube station with a vibrant tile mural.
Tate Modern
Tate Modern's Beyond Pop display pushes against the assumption that Pop art was solely a British or American phenomenon, and spotlights international artists who were inspired by imagery in mass media to comment on a range of socio-political issues. And don't miss their Roy Lichtenstein ARTIST ROOMS exhibition. Both are completely free to visit.
Wolverhampton Art Gallery
Did you know that Wolverhampton Art Gallery is home to one of the best collections of Pop art in the UK? And the good news is that you can see it for free in their designated Pop art gallery, where they programme changing exhibitions featuring key works from their collection by the likes of Andy Warhol, Richard Hamilton and Pauline Boty.
National Museum Cardiff
National Museum Cardiff houses a vibrant collection of Pop art, with major works by Peter Blake, Patrick Caulfield, David Hockney and Eduardo Paolozzi. Although some of this collection is not currently on display, there is a gallery dedicated to art in Britain after 1930, where radical approaches to art-making from the 20th century can be seen.
Pallant House Gallery
Chichester's Pallant House Gallery has an impressive collection of British Pop art, including works by artists such as Peter Blake, Richard Hamilton and Gerard Laing. In 2020, Art Fund helped the gallery to acquire a work by the often-overlooked female Pop artist Pauline Boty, whose work was fearless in tackling sexual and identity politics.
The more you see, the more we do.
The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.