William Sharples
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William Sharples
William Sharples was a prominent American artist who played a significant role in the Pop Art movement of the 1960s. He was born in North Wales in 1936 and moved to New York in the 1950s to study at the Art Students League. Sharples' works were known for their larger-than-life scale and vibrant colors, which often depicted everyday objects and themes of consumerism and mass media. He was also known for his sculptures, such as The Little Pigs, which showcased his talent for creating three-dimensional works of art. One of Sharples' most notable works was the Mural of the 1960s, which was a large-scale painting that depicted various images and icons from the decade. The mural was displayed at the 1964 World's Fair in New York and was later acquired by the Museum of Modern Art. Another famous work by Sharples was his portrait of Marilyn Monroe, which was created in the aftermath of her death and has since become an iconic image in popular culture. In addition to his artistic endeavors, Sharples was also an active member of the New York City art scene. He frequently interacted with other artists and lectured at various art institutions, sharing his knowledge and passion for art with others. Despite his untimely death in 1996, Sharples' legacy continues to live on through his works, which are still exhibited in prominent museums and galleries around the world.
William Sharples, Pop Art, New York City, Art Students League, consumerism, mass media, Marilyn Monroe, sculpture, iconic, legacy
CITATION : "John Jackson. 'William Sharples.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/william-sharples?E=343657 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"
William Sharples
William Sharples (1936-1996) was an American artist who was influential in the Pop Art movement of the 1960s. Born in North Wales, he moved to New York in the 1950s and studied at the Art Students League. He was famously known for his large scale paintings and sculptures of everyday objects, often painted in bright and vibrant colors. His works included themes of consumerism, mass media and objects used in daily life. Notable works include the “Mural of the 1960s”, the portrait of “Marilyn Monroe” and the sculpture “The Little Pigs”. Sharples’s works were exhibited in prominent museums such as the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art. He was also a part of the New York City art scene, from interacting with other artists to lecturing at art institutions.
William Sharples, Pop Art, American Art, Mural of the 1960s, Marilyn Monroe, The Little Pigs.
— Mei Wang
William Sharples on Design+Encyclopedia
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