Andy Warhol: Lifestyle And Artwork
Andy Warhol is a renowned American painter, filmmaker, draftsman, and printmaker born in 1928 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Historians regard him as a prolific figure of his time that enthralled the international audience with his aesthetics, appearance, and attitude towards the pop art movement. The artist is well-known for his expertise and experience in commercial art. Warhol immersed himself into American popular culture where he showcased a repertoire of paintings of everyday commercial goods. Most of his notable masterpieces were inspired by Pop art movement.
The allure of Warhol’s works lies in the mystery of his personal life. Warhol exhibited iconic drawing skills in his artworks, mostly paintings of Campbell soup cans. He drew his first artistry inspiration from his mother and constant companion, Julia Warhol, who availed art materials and encouraged him to draw while recuperating from Sydenham’s chorea (Warhol 11a). He also kept a collection of images of everyday household items by talented theatrical artist Marcel Duchamp. In addition, Marcel received support and encouragement from consummate New Yorker, artist, and graphic designer Nathan Gluck. Warhol utilized his innate talent and genius coupled with early computers to generate new art forms which marked a turning point for contemporary visual art (Warhol 6b). He is remembered as a sensational visual artist and cultural pioneer. Warhol’s personal life remained a closely guarded secret until his death.
However, the painter could not hide his fascination for different aspects of life that influenced his works. Shooting Marilyn (Fig. 1) is among a series of iconic images that demonstrate his lifelong fascination with Hollywood celebrities. The masterpiece features a highly stylized image of Marilyn Monroe in an iconic pose. The eccentric painting drawn using photo-stencils has bright colors that immortalize Marilyn. The image focuses exclusively on the link between the themes of celebrity cult and death. Warhol worked with the society’s elite including Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe. His enthrallment for the high society is reflected in his works, photography, printmaking, and silk-screening which feature prominent faces of quirky celebrities.
In 1969, Warhol and Gerard Malanga cofounded the Interview Magazine, dedicated to celebrities, in an effort to commercialize his celebrity fascination (Warhol and Hackett 12b). The magazine is still in production until the date. Later on in his career, Warhol rose to become a mega-superstar with hundreds of films, books, and paintings to his credit. Also, Warhol used his paintings to reflect and express personal opinions about his life. Are You Different? (Fig. 2) is a black and white image of a man in a contemplative posture. The masterpiece, drawn on canvas medium and silkscreen using acrylic paint features a star radiating light from the man’s forehead (Warhol and Hackett 8a).
The image is clearly spiritual as the figure appears deep in thought, undoubtedly soul-searching whether he is different. It is a representation of Warhol’s personal insecurities. He is apprehensive about his appearance and ability to fit in. Warhol had a detached attitude courtesy of his early upbringing that saw him separated from the world by a neurological disorder that confined him to bed. He was isolated from the world at the age of eight and developed a love for art which kept him entertained as he regained his health. Warhol felt totally different from the rest of the people as he grew up. He once said that the things that happen in life are actually unreal after he subtly survived a riffle attack on him and his curator, Mario Amaya, by radical feminist Valerie Solanas. In addition, his artistic experimentation was loosely influenced by the abstract expressionism of his innate thoughts.
Additionally, Warhol was evidently obsessed with fame judging from the many portraits of the rich and famous in his gallery. The artist was bequeathed with Gabriel Keiller; therefore, he decided to draw an image of her beloved dachshund, Maurice. The painting, entitled Portrait of Maurice (Fig. 3) is an image of an animal smothered on canvas using synthetic polymer paint and silkscreen ink. The quirky print also features the Polaroid of Maurice. It is one of his artistic works that expanded the idea of juxtaposing human and non-human objects. Warhol had unique ways of producing his work. According to the book “Andy Warhol” by Carter Ratcliff, “During the 1950s, when Andy Warhol worked as a commercial artist, he produced ink Warhol is famous for his assertiveness. He was often unafraid to solicit commissions for portraits from the rich and the famous. Neither was he disheartened when potential clients turned down his wishes to create their portraits.
Rather, he suggested alternative images of renowned personalities such as pets featuring salient facial characteristics. The Portrait of Maurice demonstrates his fortitude to create the screen-printed image even though the main character was unwilling to sit for his own portrait. Warhol channeled America’s popular culture singlehandedly creating a new genre of art christened as pop art. He experimented with new subjects and media which earned him the status of the pioneer of visual arts. His iconic masterpieces triggered global fascination with pop and modern art styles. Warhol’s brevity in taking artistic risks appealed to the general public that christened him the founding father of the Pop Art Movement. His works remain as famous as the pop images on which they were based. Following his rich legacy and large collection of artworks, Warhol can be described as a mainstream revolutionary, peculiar superstar, and professional enigma of pop art that still pops.
