Squeegee
The screen printing process in contemporary art frequently employs a versatile tool known as a squeegee. The basic but vital tool features a rubber blade connected to a handle which allows users to transfer ink or paint through a screen onto another surface. The squeegee became prominent in the mid-20th century during the emergence of the Pop Art movement after originating from early screen printing methods. Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein's iconic artworks popularized the squeegee tool which became an emblem of artistic innovation and mass production techniques.
The squeegee reached its highest level of popularity during the 1960s and 1970s which were characterized by cultural changes that emphasized consumerism and commercial visuals. The squeegee became popular among artists for producing graphic prints with mechanical qualities that mirrored advertising visuals and popular culture elements. Artists who adopted this tool in their work could quickly reproduce images with exactness while merging the boundaries of fine art and commercial design.
The squeegee became an essential tool in various contemporary art forms beyond Pop Art including street art and mixed media collage. Street art practitioners Banksy and Shepard Fairey transformed the squeegee into a symbol of urban artistry by utilizing it to apply stenciled images across various public surfaces. The modern transformation of the squeegee demonstrates its lasting importance and versatility as an instrument that pushes past conventional artistic limits while motivating artists of all ages to explore its creative potential.
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