Victor Vasarely was a French-Hungarian artist born in Hungary in 1906. In 1928/29 he abandoned medical school and enrolled in an art school that concentrated on graphic design and topographical design. He moved to France in 1930 and began his career as a graphic artist. Despite leaving behind his medical studies, his interest in science continued to influence the style and content of his work, which is often geometric and abstract. Later in life, he began creating sculptures in addition to his artwork. Vasarely passed away in France in 1997. Today, he is regarded as the grandfather of op art, short for optical art. This type of art uses optical illusions, giving the observer the impression of movement, vibrating patterns, or warping. Often times, op art is created in black-and-white, although some of Vasarely’s works include color. To see more of his work, click here.
Foundations of Art, Design, + Digital Culture 