A print created in 1962 by Yorkshire artist Michael Fossick has been uncovered for public display at Cartwright Hall in Bradford.
Komtek I, produced from an early computerised image, was commissioned by NASA during the early days of space travel. The artwork celebrates Komtek Technologies Ltd, a Hong Kong-based firm known for producing microcomputers significant in the development of early computing technologies used in aerospace programs.
NASA Art Commission Program
In March 1962, NASA administrator James Webb awarded commissions to 38 artists, including Fossick, as part of a project to visually document key achievements in the agency's mission toward human spaceflight and lunar exploration.
British International Print Biennale
The print was submitted to the First British International Print Biennale held at Cartwright Hall in 1968, where it won an award. The biennial took place on 11 occasions between 1968 and 1990 and continues its exhibition program until March 2027.
At its peak, the event featured over 500 works selected from more than 3,000 entries. It attracted prominent artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and David Hockney—whose work remains part of the gallery's collection.
David Hockney’s Role
Hockney was invited to serve as a judge at the inaugural biennale in 1968 and designed the poster for the show, which is on display during the current exhibition.
Cultural Context
Curator Jill Iredale described Bradford’s pop art movement as a response to post-World War Two societal conditions. She noted that local artists developed an experimental aesthetic rooted in DIY culture and accessible design methods.
The growth of young working-class populations after the baby boom era expanded opportunities for artistic expression within the region's print community.
Exhibition Details
The Pop Art at Cartwright Hall exhibition includes works by Andy Warhol and David Hockney, alongside pieces like Komtek I—some of which are said to be previously unseen by many visitors.
Iredale emphasized the unusual connection between an artist from Sheffield who studied at Bradford School of Art and a NASA commission during space exploration history. The piece is described as a screen print made using one of the earliest computerised images available at that time.