Barbara Kruger's art in the 1970s laid the groundwork for her later career as a critical observer of mass culture and a pioneering figure in conceptual art. During this decade, Kruger began developing her distinct approach to art making, which combined text and image to critique societal norms and question the construction of identity. Her early experiences as a graphic designer and picture editor for magazines greatly influenced her artistic style, providing her with a keen understanding of how to capture an audience's attention and communicate complex messages effectively​ (The Art Story)​​ (Artsy)​​ (Unframed)​. In the late 1970s, Kruger started experimenting with combining images and snippets of text, drawing from her background in the advertising and media world. This period marked the beginning of her exploration into the impact of images and text on public discourse, using her work to interrupt thought patterns and challenge viewers' understanding of popular culture. Kruger's art from this era, though not yet featuring the iconic red, white, and black palette of her later work, still showcased her ability to create compelling visual narratives that critique societal expectations and roles​ (Unframed)​. One notable aspect of Kruger's work during the 1970s was her engagement with poetry and narrative writing, alongside her visual practice. This multifaceted approach allowed her to explore the dynamics of communication and representation, setting the stage for her signature style of overlaying direct, often confrontational text over found photographs. These early explorations into the combination of text and image would become a hallmark of Kruger's work, allowing her to address complex subjects such as identity, consumerism, and power dynamics with clarity and force​ (The Art Story)​. Kruger's work in the 1970s serves as a critical foundation for her later, more widely recognized projects. By integrating her insights from the worlds of design, advertising, and narrative into her art, Kruger began crafting the unique visual language that would come to define her career. Her early experiments in this decade not only anticipated the digital and social media landscapes of the future but also demonstrated her enduring commitment to questioning how identities and values are constructed and communicated in contemporary society​ (Artsy)​​ (Unframed)​.