The American Dream: pop to the present – British Museum from 9 March to 18 June

Ed Ruscha, Standard Station, 1966, Colour screenprint.  Museum of Modern Art, New York © Ed Ruscha


From the explosive pop art in the 1960s through to contemporary works, the Exhibition covers one of the most dynamic and turbulent periods in US history: from JFK’s assassination, Apollo 11 and Vietnam to the AIDS crisis, racism and gender politics.  Featuring prints by some of the greatest American artists from Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg to Ed Ruscha, Kara Walker and Julie Mehretu – all experimenting with printmaking on an unprecedented scale – the Exhibition provides a dazzling display of technical artistry and strident social and political commentary.

Upbeat, bold and brassy, American Dream shows at the British Museum until mid June – under 16’s free admission.