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By William Van Zyl
Published May 17, 2026
Did you know that Pop Art is one of the best-selling genres in galleries around New Zealand? Yes, you have heard right — Pop Art is very popular. The use of a computer and a laser cutter, then spray cans, to add layer upon layer of unique shapes over the head or around the eye, has transformed contemporary artistic practice. This art form focuses on iconic people and events of the past. The focus is on the Moon Landing and famous people like Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury, David Bowie (“Ground Control to Major Tom”), Madonna, Marilyn Monroe, and more, with bright layers of paint used to portray these icons. Some artwork features images of objects and artefacts from the past century.
One such upcoming artist is Shortydubs, and Brad Novak from New Zealand. One of the top international names is Johnny Romeo, living in New York City.
What Is Pop Art?
Pop Art is an art movement that emerged during the 1950s and 1960s. It celebrated popular culture, advertising, celebrities, comic books, music, consumer products, and modern media. Rather than focusing only on traditional landscapes or portraits, Pop Art embraced the colourful, fast-moving world of modern life.
Artists used bold colours, repetition, typography, symbols, and instantly recognisable imagery to connect with ordinary people. Pop Art challenged the idea that art belonged only in elite galleries or museums. Instead, it reflected the culture people saw every day on television, in magazines, on billboards, and on album covers.
The movement became famous through artists such as:
- Andy Warhol
- Roy Lichtenstein
- Keith Haring
- Jean-Michel Basquiat
- Richard Hamilton
- David Hockney
Perhaps the most iconic Pop Art image ever created is Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Diptych, featuring repeated colourful portraits of Marilyn Monroe.
Pop Art by Johnny Romeo (Australian-based artist).
The Magical Process of Creating Pop Art
Modern Pop Art is no longer created only with brushes and paint. Technology now plays a major role in the artistic process.
Many contemporary artists begin with a photograph or digital image using software from the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, especially:
- Adobe Photoshop for editing and colour manipulation
- Adobe Illustrator for vector shapes and stencil designs
- Adobe InDesign for layouts and composition planning
The artist separates the image into layers — perhaps one layer for the eyes, another for shadows, another for text, and another for background patterns. These layers can then be converted into stencil designs.
A laser cutter is often used to cut precise stencil layers from cardboard, acrylic, or thin wood. The stencil is placed over the canvas, and spray paint is applied in layers. Bright fluorescent colours, gradients, drips, and textured effects create the bold visual impact associated with Pop Art.
The process is almost architectural in nature:
- Research and inspiration
- Digital composition
- Layer separation
- Laser cutting
- Spray painting
- Repetition and refinement
- Final storytelling elements
Artists often repeat symbols or patterns to create rhythm and movement across the canvas. Māori-inspired shape, form, and pattern can add another powerful dimension to the work, especially within a contemporary New Zealand context.
A New Canvas, A New Story
I recently purchased three large canvases from an opportunity shop. Soon, they will be covered with fresh canvas, ready for a new artistic journey. Now comes the difficult question: What should I create?
Perhaps that is the same question many artists ask themselves before beginning a new work of art.
Pinterest is one of the most popular websites for artists to gather inspiration. A single image can spark an entire concept. Colours, typography, architecture, graffiti, old magazine covers, music, fashion, and cultural symbols all become part of the creative conversation.
Who is Shotydubs?
Shortydubs uses New Zealand icons and ideas layered with Māori shape, form, pattern, and colour. His work is unique and reflects contemporary New Zealand art in an innovative way. His layering techniques, symbolism, and cultural references transform ordinary images into visual storytelling experiences.
Shortydubs artist from New Zealand. Credit – image from his website: https://www.shortydubs.com/
Shortydubs at work. Credit: Raglan Chronicle. Website: https://www.raglanchronicle.co.nz/the-chronicle/2023/02/artist-morphs-from-music-to-painting/
Maori-inspired pop art by Shortydubs (NZ). Website: https://www.raglanchronicle.co.nz/the-chronicle/2023/02/artist-morphs-from-music-to-painting/
Who is Brad Novak (New Zealand)?
Brad Novak and prints of his work. Credit image: Parnell Gallery. https://www.parnellgallery.co.nz/artists/brad-novak/
Pop Art by Brad Novak. . https://www.parnellgallery.co.nz/shop/brad-novak-queen-1-19-g/
ABOVE Image: Close-up of the eye area (contrasting the vintage (Queen) with the modern electronic (digital symbol) over the eye. Could you pop something else over the eye? Think about a new idea and use it. Parnell Gallery NZ https://www.parnellgallery.co.nz/shop/brad-novak-queen-1-19-g/
Who is Brad Novak?
Brad Novak, who creates under the moniker New Blood Pop, is a leading New Zealand urban pop artist and a practising medical doctor. His work explores the intersection of pop and street art.
Johnny Romeo’s Pop Art
IMAGE: Johhny Romeo the Artist. Credit: https://www.19karen.com.au/artists/johnny-romeo/
David Bowie (By Johnny Romeo. Credit: Boyd Dunlop Gallery, Napier, New Zealand. Website: https://boyddunlop.com/collections/johnny-romeo-1/products/level-up-copy
Who is Johnny Romeo? In short, what are his techniques?
Johnny Romeo. Johnny Romeo is an Australian contemporary pop artist. His works infuse the aesthetics of print-based Warholian Pop with a street-art speed and grit, all executed through some strange on-canvas alchemy in acrylic and oil. Credit image:
So again, the question remains:
What should I create? What could you create?
Perhaps:
- A Pop Art portrait of David Bowie surrounded by cosmic Māori-inspired patterns
- A Moon Landing artwork layered with neon circuitry and geometric forms
- A modern portrait of a kiwi icon, combined with graffiti typography
- Vintage objects from the 1980s and 1990s reimagined through spray paint and stencil work
- A fusion of traditional Māori symbolism with futuristic Pop Art aesthetics
And if you are an artist, what should you create?
Storytelling Through Pop Art
Storytelling is one of the most important parts of art. The symbolism, or message behind the work, matters just as much as the final image itself.
How do artists make decisions?
How do they choose colours, symbols, and subjects?
Looking at my own practice as an artist, I am convinced that the heart, spirit, and mind are all consulted during the creative process. Art is not simply decoration. It becomes a reflection of the artist’s interpretation of the world. Sometimes it tells a story from this world. Sometimes it reaches beyond it.
A single image can communicate nostalgia, rebellion, hope, loss, celebration, memory, or identity. That is the true magic of Pop Art.
Iconic Pop Artworks Worth Exploring
Some of the most famous Pop Artworks include:
- Marilyn Diptych — Andy Warhol
- Whaam! — Roy Lichtenstein
- Campbell’s Soup Cans — Andy Warhol
- Radiant Baby — Keith Haring
- Hopeless — Roy Lichtenstein
Basquiat artwork. Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960–1988) was a groundbreaking American artist who rose to fame in the 1980s as part of the Neo-expressionism movement. Known for his raw, visceral style, he blended graffiti, abstract expressionism, and social commentary to explore themes of race, wealth, and identity. Credit: AI research. (May 2026)
Conclusion
I included a couple of very popular Pop Art artworks for you to enjoy. I hope you find inspiration from them.
Pop Art reminds us that creativity can emerge from popular culture, music, history, memory, politics, identity, and storytelling. Whether using spray paint, stencils, laser cutters, or digital software, artists continue to reinvent this exciting art form for a new generation.
Maybe you could forge a new direction for your art. You could develop your computer skills; you could purchase a laser printer to create stencils; play with overlays on your artwork; and explore using spray paint and stencils on your newly generated artwork.
Maybe you need an epiphany. Did you know “Art could be a Process.”
As an artist (or a new artist), perhaps your next technique and genre are waiting for you.
Global Pop Art Ideas
My next post explores themes for Global Pop Art. Titled: “Global Pop Art Ideas.” By William Van Zyl, published 17 May 2026.
Copyright © 2026 by William Van Zyl
Magical Pop Art.
All rights reserved. This eBook/article or any portion
thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner
without the publisher’s permission, except for using brief quotations in a book review.
Published by Five House Publishing (New Zealand)
First Publishing, May 2026
More eBooks and articles are available at https://fivehousepublishing.com/More about the author at http://williamvanzyl.com/
