A key figure in the Pop Art movement, Andy Warhol created prints that take an interesting and almost reverent look at everyday objects, transforming them with unconventional coloration.
Andy Warhol
American
1928-1987
What is the difference between art and an advertising? The subject matter? The quality? The medium? The buyer? This debate surrounds the artwork of Andy Warhol.
Born in PA, Andrew Warhola was destined to be the first star of pop art. He was diagnosed with St. Vitus Dance at the age of 8 which kept him home from school for long periods of time, during which he began to study magazine images and draw.
Warhol moved to NYC in 1949, where he got a BA in graphic design and worked as an illustrator for magazines for more than 10 years. He received multiple awards for his work and had hundreds of clients, yet he was not content. Despite his commercial training (a commercial artist is someone who designs images to sell products), he saw himself as a “pure” artist.
Fantastic at marketing himself, Andy Warhol created his own legend. He believed that “You can only become a star if everyone is talking about you,” so he changed his name and threw himself into creating interesting images that would grab people’s attention.
Warhol appropriated imagery from consumer culture and added them to his artwork, pushing all of the boundaries between fine art and advertising. He duplicated these images using a new technique he invented called blotted line.
Warhol never stopped creating. In addition to his prints, he produced many films and experimental pieces in his “silver factory,” published books, managed bands (including Velvet Underground) and created videos.
READ:
- As always, Mike Venezia’s introductory art books are at the top of my list. The one on Andy Warhol is no different. Fantastic from beginning to end.
- Written by Andy Warhol’s nephew, Uncle Andy’s offers a fun and unique perspective on the artist.
EXPLORE ONLINE:
- Queensland Art Gallery has a fun interactive site devoted to Andy Warhol’ life. Have fun learning what Andy was like as a boy!
- The Warhol Museum has a fantastic gallery of online images. You might be surprised to see how diverse his interests were. Take a look.
Create:
In order to complete this project each student will need the following items:- Tru Ray Acid Free Construction Paper
- for each student you will need the following pieces cut – there should be a total of 5 colors:
- 1 piece, any color 12×12″
- 8 pieces, in 4 differing colors, 5.5×5.5″ (ex. 2 white, 2 green, 2 yellow, and 2 purple)
- for each student you will need the following pieces cut – there should be a total of 5 colors:
- Red ink pad
- Prang crayons
- 1 glue stick
- 1 pair Scissors
- 1 everyday pencil with an eraser
- 1 apple, cut in half from top to bottom
- you will probably also want to have a small package of baby wipes or paper towels nearby
Additional projects:
- Did you know that Andy Warhol collected cats? He had over 25! Try making your own version of his “Red Sam” with these instructions.
- Make your own image into pop art using this online converter. I already have the settings ready for you, just scroll down to step 3 and upload your photograph! Don’t worry about the mention of facebook, the image will not show up in your feed unless you approve it at the very end.
Consider:
“Making money is art, and working is art, and good business is the best art” – Andy Warhol
“Art is what you can get away with.” – Andy Warhol
What do you think art is?
What a fun study of a great artist! Thanks for pulling all of this together to make it easy for people to teach their children about great art!
Thanks for putting this artist study together. I learned some things I didn’t know about Andy Warhol. This is very easy to ready and work through. I think I will work on this study with my son.
Great! I hope he enjoys it.
What a great resource for this artist! Thanks for pulling it all together for us artistically challenged people.