Untitled 1972

This untitled work from 1972, by Richard Pettibone, presents a field of brown and beige cow heads against a pale blue background. Pettibone, known for his appropriations, places us squarely in a dialogue with Pop Art, and specifically Andy Warhol’s own series of cow wallpaper. As our society grapples with issues of originality and authenticity, Pettibone’s practice encourages us to reconsider notions of authorship. By re-presenting an image already iconic, he invites questions about the commodification of art and the blurring lines between the unique and the mass-produced. The repetition evokes a sense of the everyday, echoing the relentless churn of consumer culture. Yet, there's also a quiet commentary on the role of animals in our lives, turning the familiar into something both decorative and subtly unsettling. It asks us to consider the cultural narratives we consume and reproduce daily, and what those patterns reveal about our desires and values.