I visited “Pop Forever,” the Tom Wesselmann exhibit at the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris, and it was phenomenal.

I spent hours there and even had to take a break -- it was overwhelming in the best way.

I had never seen his work before, and it was completely new to me.

Still Life #57, 1969-1970

One of the most striking things about his pieces is how he cuts out the canvas, creating silhouettes -- like the curve of a leg.

His pieces are sensual but not explicit. There’s a playful quality to it, but it’s also incredibly refined.

And he plays with scale, using huge canvases, and incorporates real objects like televisions and radios as part of the composition.

The sheer size of the works is impressive -- some are four by three meters.

Wesselmann’s use of color is also fascinating: repetitive but intentional, with orange, daffodil yellow, and deep red lips appearing throughout.

Great American Nude #44, 1963

Before this, I had only read about the artist, but seeing his work in person changed everything. The exhibition featured 150 of his pieces, and it’s clear how much he has influenced other artists -- as their works are placed next to his.

With Warhol and Basquiat, we’ve seen their creations so often that it’s easy to feel like we’ve absorbed everything they had to say. But with Wesselmann, it’s different.

His work is fresh, massive, intricate, and endlessly engaging. I found myself looking at every detail, trying to take it all in. It was one of the most captivating exhibitions I’ve seen in a long time.

Pop Forever, at the Louis Vuitton Foundation, runs from October 17, 2024 to February 24, 2025.

CONTACT

https://www.fondationlouisvuitton.fr/fr

1st Image - Great American Nude #15, 1964

2nd Image - Bedroom Painting #15, 1968 -1970

Great American Nude, #82, 1966

IMAGES

Photos by Alice Lonfat-Chu