The Independent Group co-founded by Eduardo Paolozzi in London in 1952, is regarded as the precursor to the pop art movement in the UK. From here the term pop art was coined for an art form centering on mass advertising, movies, product design, comic strips, science fiction and technology. Ten years on Ken Russell produced Pop goes the Easel. Cutting-edge in content and form, the 44-minute film is an elaborate, rapidly cut rhythmic kaleidoscope of images of film and pop stars, fashion magazines, fast cars, politicians, the space race, guns and girls.

Today, pop culture continues to inspire and influence artists; this exhibition features a selection of artists who have created work in the Pop idiom.