Tom Wesselmann American, 1931-2004

Tom Wesselmann attended college in Ohio, first at Hiram College and then he transferred to major in psychology at the University of Cincinnati. He was drafted to the US Army in 1952. During his time in the military services, he learned about aerial photography interpretation and began to draw cartoons about his experiences. After being discharged, and completing his psychology degree in 1954, he began to study drawing at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. In 1956, he moved to New York City to study art at the Cooper Union. During his time at the Cooper Union, he met his soon to be wife Claire Selley, who would also become a lifelong inspiration for his art. He was considered the co-founder and the leading figure of the American Pop movement of the 1960s. He is best known for his collages, sculptures, and screen prints that stylized the female figure. Wesselmann’s work is represented in many prominent collections around the world, including Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain in Paris, the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid, Nationalgalerie in Berlin, Berardo Collection in Lisbon, Museum of Modern Art in New York and Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, amongst others.