DAVE POLLOT

Dave Pollot is a New York-based artist who is known for his altered thrift art paintings. He finds unwanted artwork and adds his own touch – most often parodic references to mass culture – and in doing so, bridges the divide between classic and pop art. He says: “The idea actually began as a joke between my wife (who loves to shop at thrift stores) and I, but it quickly evolved into an attempt to answer the question: ‘Could I take a piece of unwanted art, and, without altering its aesthetic, change its meaning by painting into it some bits of pop culture/nostalgia and make it desirable in the modern world?’”

Pollot uses references to pop culture and food items to make people stop in their present for one moment and look twice. His work aims to introduce a younger audience to older artistic styles whilst getting an older audience acquainted with pop culture. His paintings construct a narrative, where the story unfolds against the backdrop of the original painting. “I think that my body of work has challenged the idea that any one piece of artwork is without a place, especially if it can be retrofitted to reflect a more culturally relevant set of ideas.” As such, he is almost recycling – or indeed upcycling – older art.

His work has been displayed and found homes in galleries, businesses, and private collections throughout the USA and in over 40 countries globally. Some of his corporate clients include Sony, Instagram, and Tröegs Independent Brewing, among others. When he’s not painting, he can be found spending time with his wife and two dogs.