Rome, Italy

1956–1960

Chouinard: Irwin, Woelffer and the journal Orb

At the Chouinard Art Institute (now the California Institute of the Arts) he studies under Robert Irwin and Emerson Woelffer; in 1959–1960, together with Joe Goode, Woelffer, Stephan von Huene, Jerry McMillan and others, he edits and produces the journal Orb, one of the first recorded alternative newspapers in the US.

1961

Seven months in Europe with his mother and brother

He travels through Europe for seven months with his mother and brother, coming upon more works by Johns and Rauschenberg, R. A. Bertelli's “Head of Mussolini” and “Ophelia” by Sir John Everett Millais. The photographs from this trip mark the start of his photography.

1962

“New Painting of Common Objects” in Pasadena

Ruscha takes part, with Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Robert Dowd, Phillip Hefferton, Joe Goode, Jim Dine and Wayne Thiebaud, in “New Painting of Common Objects” at the Pasadena Art Museum, curated by Walter Hopps. It is regarded as one of the first Pop Art exhibitions in America.

1963

“Twentysix Gasoline Stations” is published

The first of sixteen small artist's books produced between 1962 and 1978; the photographic books present precisely what their titles describe.

1963

First solo exhibition at Ferus Gallery

His first solo exhibition takes place at the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles, around which a group of artists has gathered, among them Robert Irwin, John Altoon, John McCracken, Larry Bell, Ken Price and Edward Kienholz.