The aesthetic behind punk visual art is its shock-factor. It wants to convey a sense of repulsion amongst its audience in order to make a satirical, witty statement.
There was a huge overlap between the punk music and punk art scenes in New York City in the 1970’s. Many artists were regulars at CBGB’s – the birthplace of punk – and participated in a huge punk art exhibition in Washington DC.
"Sell the public flowers... things that they can hang on their walls without being uptight"
- Robert Mapplethorpe
In 1978 New York City hosted a one-night punk art show which included the work of Robert Mapplethorpe, perhaps one of the most influential, provocative artists of his time. Some of his more controversial work was that of the underground BDSM scene in New York in the late 60’s and early 70’s. His work was laced with homoeroticism and sparked a national debate over the public funding of controversial artwork.
Punk.
ART.