Soft Scissors

Artist Claes Oldenburg (Stockholm, Sweden, born 1929)

Mediumscreenprint on folded & cut paper

ClassificationsPrints

DimensionsPaper Size: 76.1 x 50.5cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 1978.

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG000150

About MeSculptor Claes Oldenburg was the son of a Swedish diplomat. As a child he and his family moved to America in 1936, first to New York then, later, to Chicago. He studied at Yale University from 1946 to 1950, then returned to Chicago where he studied at the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1953 he became a naturalized citizen of the United States and moved back to New York City three years later.

He is best known for his public art installations typically featuring large versions of everyday objects. This print clearly relates to such work, as it is a humerous 'kit' with instructions to cut the paper and thus create a pair of 'soft' scissors that could never cut paper.

Oldenburg's whimsical approach to art was at first vilified but as part of the Pop Art movement of the 1960s his work achieved great popularity and he came to be recognisd as one of the most important artists to emerge from the USA during the mid 20th century.