ROY LICHTENSTEIN Explosion (New York State Governor's Arts Award).
Painted and patinated fabricated brass multiple, 1996. 152x102x25 mm; 6x4x1 inches (excluding base). Initial edition of 15. With the artist's initials in the base, lower right. Fabricated by Tallix, Rock Tavern, with the foundry name engraved on the base.
Formerly referred to as the Starburst award, this was originally designed by Lichtenstein for recipients of the 1996 New York State Governor's Arts Award selected by the New York Council on the Arts and confirmed by the governer of New York. Based on the popularity of the awards, Lichtenstein was asked if the Starburst award could be used for the 1997 recipients. The artist agreed and 12 more were fabricated.
Multiple Starburst awards, all of the same design, were fabricated by Tallix between 1996 and 2002. Ultimately, Lichtenstein's design became a symbol of these awards. Recipients from 1996 to 2002, all of whom received the Starburst award, have included Leo Castelli, Robert De Niro, Gordon Parks, Ellsworth Kelly and James Earl Jones.
