The Young Contemporaries art movement was a significant development in the history of British art. It was a collective of young artists from the Royal College of Art who sought to create a new, contemporary art that was different from the art of the past. The movement began in 1961, when a group of students from the Royal College of Art formed a loose collective known as the Young Contemporaries. The group was led by the artist Robert Medley, and its members included David Hockney, Allen Jones, Peter Phillips and Patrick Caulfield.
The Young Contemporaries sought to create art that was both modern and accessible. They rejected traditional academic art in favour of more experimental and innovative approaches. They experimented with a range of media and techniques, including painting, sculpture, photography, film and performance art. The aim of the group was to create art that was “open to new ideas and new ways of looking at the world”.
The group's first exhibition was held in 1962 at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London. It was an immediate success, attracting considerable attention from the art world. The exhibition featured works by all the members of the group, as well as pieces by other emerging British artists such as Richard Hamilton and Bridget Riley. The exhibition was widely praised for its freshness and energy, and for its willingness to embrace new ideas and media. It marked the emergence of a new generation of British artists who were eager to explore new ways of making and experiencing art.
The Young Contemporaries movement had a profound impact on the British art world. It inspired a new generation of artists, who began to explore a wider range of media and techniques. It also encouraged the public to engage with contemporary art, and to consider it as something that was relevant to their lives.
The influence of the Young Contemporaries can still be seen in the work of many contemporary British artists. The group's emphasis on experimentation and innovation continues to be a major influence on British art today. Its legacy can be seen in the work of artists such as Damien Hirst, Rachel Whiteread, and Tracey Emin, all of whom have explored a range of media and techniques in their work.
The Young Contemporaries art movement was a pivotal moment in the history of British art. It brought about a new appreciation for contemporary art, and encouraged artists to explore a wider range of media and techniques. It also provided a platform for a new generation of British artists to emerge and to make their mark on the art world. The legacy of the Young Contemporaries continues to be felt in the work of many contemporary British artists today.