The Independent Group of artists
reflected, and pushed for, the transition from the grey austerity of
post-war Britain to the technicolour explosion of the 1960s. Their work
showed this culture shift through collage, painting and sculpture,
dismissing the elitism of the art world. The initial idea was based
around a theme of a ‘modern’ way of living, trying to define what
‘tomorrow’ would look like. Richard Hamilton’s Just What Is It That Makes Today’s Homes So Different, So Appealing? was used to publicise the This Is Tomorrow exhibition. It was held in the Whitechapel Gallery in London’s East End in 1956 and included artists, architects,
musicians and graphic designers working together in 12 groups. The
groups worked independently and were given only £50 for materials.
