That simple advice from a friend led Andy Warhol to create one of Pop Art’s most iconic works: Campbell’s Soup Cans (1962). Over the course of nearly a year, Warhol recreated 32 soup can labels—one for each flavor—turning an everyday supermarket item into high art. The result? A series now valued at over $15 million.
“You’ve got to find something that’s recognisable to almost everybody, something you see every day that everybody would recognise. Something like a can of Campbell’s Soup.”
But how can something based on a brand we already know be considered art? And even more, how can it hold such cultural and economic value?
This is where IP Art (Intellectual Property Art) comes in.
IP Art is about taking well-known intellectual property—logos, characters, brands, or cultural icons—and transforming them into creative, artistic expressions. It could be in the form of paintings, prints, sculptures, or even collectibles like Art Toys, which resonate with Gen Z’s love for personal expression, nostalgia, and emotional storytelling.
Still can’t picture it?
Think of Kaws, who reimagined Mickey Mouse into his signature satirical characters. Or closer to home: Butter Bear, a beloved original Thai character that gained massive popularity through brand collaborations and media appearances. It’s familiar yet fresh, playful yet deeply meaningful.
Both Warhol’s soup cans and Butter Bear show us the same thing—IP Art takes what we think we know and invites us to see it in a whole new way.
So take a look around. There might be a piece of IP Art hiding in plain sight—just waiting for you to discover it.
