PM ZOOM

© The Artist

PM ZOOM 1963

Richard Smith (1931 – 2016)

Details

Dimension
889 x 584 MM
Media
SCREENPRINT
Accession number
P2268

Summary

Smith’s first published screenprint was P M Zoom, for the ICA portfolio, a project initiated by the artist Richard Hamilton and featuring work by leading British artists of the day. Following a two year visit to New York Smith had become interested in consumer culture – packaging, billboard advertising and the mass media. On his return to London he began making shaped canvasses and constructions that alluded to these interests. PM Zoom depicts four packets of Philip Morris cigarettes (the PM of the title) in progressive close up (the Zoom), with a cigarette popped up in invitation in the same way that tobacco advertisements of the day were then staged. The work was printed at the Kelpra Studio and the artist made a maquette of the cigarette packets which was then printed photographically.