| Andy Warhol, born Andrew Warhola in 1928, is considered to be one of the principle founders of the Pop Art movement during the 1960s. An author, filmmaker and music producer, he is most known for his silk screens depicting commercial objects and celebrities. During his lifetime, working in his infamous studio that he dubbed ‘The Factory’ (a literal reference to ability to mass produce art itself), Andy Warhol and his team of “superstars" (a title he gave to his factory workers) produced a bevy of silkscreen prints, avant-garde experimental films, music and literature. His prints have become powerful visual icons, and whether they are meant to mock or embrace our highly commercialized society is still up for debate.
Campbell’s Soup Cans – 1962
This print, credited by some as the beginning of Andy Warhol’s celebrity career, consists of multiple near-identical drawings of Campbell’s Soup cans and can be seen today in New York’s Museum of Modern Art. It was this display with which Andy Warhol burst onto the New York art scene. The motivation behind this particular piece is, of course, debatable. Some theorize that the print reflects Warhol’s childhood memories (he wrote often of his mother serving him Campbell’s Soup), while others argue that Andy Warhol’s print is commenting on the high level of commercialization in the United States (of course, both could be correct). He continued throughout his career to draw, paint and print highly recognizable and commercial objects, like Coca Cola bottles. Money itself was even subject to his printing, and in 1985, he was one of the artists hired by Absolute Vodka to incorporate the alcohol bottle into his work.
Marilyn Monroe - 1964
As much as Andy Warhol seemed to adore highly commercial objects, he seemed to equally idolize celebrities. One of his most famous celebrity portraits is that of Marilyn Monroe, created in 1964. Using a style that is now almost unthinkingly associated with Warhol himself, he put together multiple portraits of her face, inverting, swapping and replacing the colors in each one, creating an brilliant neon splash. Other celebrities subject to his attention included Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland and Elvis Presley.
Warhol Album Cover Prints
During his long career, Andy Warhol also designed the cover art for numerous albums, including the Velvet Underground’s The Velvet Underground and Nico in 1967 (which he also produced) and The Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers in 1971 and Love You Live in 1977.
Article written by Jessica Corbett:
Jessica Corbett is an modern day artist and is the proud owner/author of the website Andy Warhol Posters 'n' Pop. |
