Robert Indiana American, 1928-2018

Robert Indiana graduated in 1953 from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, one of whose important professors was Robert von Neumann. Boldly graphic with a characteristic style noted for representations that often include text elements, the leading American artist's work has a particular style. Indiana’s art contains recurring themes, most notably American, consumer culture, social justice, and maybe, in a sense, the summary of the American Dream with all its contradictions. His iconic “LOVE” series, characterised by its simple yet powerful typography, has become a universal symbol of affection and peace.

The in-your-face aesthetic of Indiana's process, with its colours and hard edges, direct expression and wordplay, all stencilled and fine-tuned in the making of his works, look decidedly like another universe compared to the work of contemporaries such as Andy Warhol. His works reflect a Pop sensibility all the while deeper investigation of political and personal storylines.

In 1964, Indiana achieved international fame with a one-man exhibition at the Stable Gallery in New York. He has had nearly 60 one-man exhibitions at such institutions as the Whitney Museum of American Art, 1968; the Museum of Modern Art, New York, 1977, and the Indianapolis Museum of Art, 1990. His work has been the subject of major exhibitions at the Tate Modern, London; the Venice Biennale; and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, among others.

Robert Indiana lived and worked in New York City and later Vinalhaven, Maine, until his passing in 2018.