Ethan Curtis

Rey

Art Appreciation

13 May 2020

The Legend of Andy Warhol

When you think about the 1960’s, there is one artist that comes to mind before any. He

revolutionized what we value in modern art today and integrated typical things we see every day

with fine art, something that nobody has proficiently practiced to such a degree of genius. Andy

Warhol, a cornerstone of 20th century art, was born Andy Warhola on August 6, 1928 in

Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to two hard-working immigrants Julia and Andrej who came from

present day Slovakia. Andy was the youngest of three brothers. It seems that he carried out his

parent’s passion for labor in his own body of work, composing 900 paintings, around 100

sculptures, 2000 works on paper, 1000 published prints, 4000 photos, 60 feature films, 200

screen tests, and more than 4000 videos. Accompanied by his trademarked platinum wig, Andy

Warhol was one of the most sought-after artists in history and for just reasons.

There are a number of things that draw a person on to the legacy of Andy Warhol,

whether it’s the infamous star-studded parties he was constantly hosting at his studio in New

York or his extremely laid-back persona. The greatest achievement of Warhol’s career had to

have been his massive impression on pop artistry. Now considered the “king of pop art,” Warhol

challenged what is viewed as a proper subject for a work of art. He revolutionized the world of

art by opposing the norm, doing so by including popular elements of culture and commercialized

media. While artist worked tirelessly on what they saw as masterpieces, Warhol took a more

effortless approach by highlighting everyday items thus creating art that would appeal to
everyone. Needless to say, Andy Warhol is perhaps the most unique individuals to step foot into

the spotlight of the art industry.

Upon researching Andy Warhol, his popularity worked in my favor leading me to an

abundance of available sources providing extensive information regarding his life. His popularity

paired with the growth of modern technology, much of Warhol’s life timeline is public

knowledge. His popularity was key in having access to various information, but the most

important factor in this availability was Warhol’s construction of the Time Capsules. This being

his most extensive serial artwork, Andy compiled all the material that played a role in his life

between the 1950s until he died in 1987, comprised of 569 cardboard boxes, 40 filing cabinets,

and a huge trunk filled with his work. All of this combined and you have man with very little

secrets which resulted in an easy search for relevant information.

In his early life, Warhol grew up in the neighborhood of Oakland where he had a very

good family lifestyle. His father worked construction and his mother an embroiderer, both

possessed a fair amount of artistic ability. Given their Slovakian background, the Warhola family

was devised of strong Byzantine Catholics who practiced much of their Slovakian traditions.

When Andy was just eight, he contracts chorea—an extremely hindering illness that impairs the

nervous system—which opened the door to him discovering his favorite pastime, making art.

Warhol then attends Holmes elementary in Pittsburg and on the side opted to taking free classes

at the Carnegie Institute. In 1942, Warhol attends Schenley high school and it was this same year

that his life would get turned upside down. When he is just 14, Warhol’s dad, Andrej, passes

away due to liver failure. Andrej believed his sons ability was so promising and unique, that he

leaves his life savings to go toward Warhol’s education. Warhol took no shortcuts and in 1945,
after completing high school, he enrolls at the Carnegie Institute Technology which is where he

would graduate from 4 years later with a bachelor’s in fine arts.

After finishing his education, Warhol drops the “a” off of his last name and moves to

New York City. Its only two days after moving to New York that he would receive a job

working with Glamour magazine, which totally jumpstarts him to eventually becoming the

biggest commercial artist of the 50s. His eccentric line drawings of things like cars and women’s

footwear launched him into being the most sought-after illustrator in New York at the time,

working with popular editions like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Martini & Rossi, and many more.

It wasn’t until the later 50s that Warhol would switch gears and begin honing his painting and

printing skills. In 1961, he premieres an entirely new concept of art known as “pop art” –bold,

brightly colored depiction of popular everyday consumer products ranging from household items

to celebrities. His vision would go on to completely commercialize art and grow the dynamic

ability that it possesses. In 1962, Warhol exhibits what will turn out to be without a doubt his

most well-known artwork, the Campbells soup can. These were 32 different cans of soup,

composed of synthetic polymer paint, on each of the 20 x 16” canvases, put on the wall, and

divided evenly with 3” of space between them. As stated earlier, Warhol effectively moves the

bracket of what could be a subject of art with the new pop style, challenging what really defines

something as fine art. Stated best by Andy Warhol himself, “Once you 'got' pop, you could never

see a sign the same way again. And once you thought pop, you could never see America the

same way again,” (biography.com). He used this genius concept as the fuel to become the

biggest artist of the 60s. In 1964, Warhol opens up his own studio called “The Factory,” which

became the cornerstone of the changing culture in New York City. The cities richest celebrities

made this aluminum foil coated studio one of their favorite places to party. It was in 1968 that
Warhol is shot in attempt at his life by one of the ladies he had filmed prior, Valerie Solanas, but

with much surprise Warhol lives on. In his later life leading up to his death, Warhol shifts gears

once more, focusing mostly on writing books and making films. He would also host his own

shows on MTV Andy Warhol’s 15 minutes and Andy Warhol’s TV. On Febuary 22, 1987, when

he was 58, the “king of pop art” passes away due to complications from surgery.

Andy Warhol left behind a legacy that involves the creation of his own style of art, not

something that can be said about the majority of successful artists. Utilizing vibrant colors,

repetition, and admired subject matters paired with his already established voice in the industry,

Warhol drove art in an entirely new direction. It is truly inspiring to learn about a man so

dedicated to his work, especially considering how proud he would have made his father, who

invested so much into him. Warhol is the embodiment of the American dream; his story can

serve as an inspiration to anybody in the pursuit of success and peace. Andy Warhol lifestyle and

work serves as an extreme contradiction, his work aimed to scoff at societies materialism and

idolization, but his way of living suggested that he had a tendency for these patterns as well. In

all, Warhol bridged the gap between art and commercialism, something no artist had ever done,

and for that he is one of the most important artists of all time.
References:

“Andy Warhol.” Walker Art Center, walkerart.org/collections/artists/andywarhol?gclid=Cjw

KCAjwte71BRBCEiwAU_V9h5BJs5l19l5EHBhazR7wIIOs-yeEfN1U3DCfL2I5ME

e6qraekYq5xxoC6kcQAvD_BwE.

“Andy Warhol.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 6 Mar. 2020,

www.biography.com/artist/andy-warhol.

“Art and Archives.” The Andy Warhol Museum, www.warhol.org/art-and-archives/.