Plate 1967

Tom Wesselmann made this print, called Plate, which features an open mouth, sometime in the mid-twentieth century. Look at how the image is created using what looks like a screen or stencil, that kind of graphic directness makes art feel immediate. The use of flat color and bold outlines gives a sense of Pop Art coolness, but it's the slightly off-register printing that really grabs me. There’s a human touch in those tiny imperfections, a little wobble in the lines that keeps it from feeling too slick. My eye is drawn to the way the red ink sits on the page, not quite perfect. Wesselmann had a knack for taking everyday images and blowing them up to iconic proportions. This piece reminds me a bit of early Warhol, but with a more playful, less cynical edge. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that art doesn't always have to be serious; sometimes, it can just be a big, beautiful mouth.