Andy Warhol – the artist who put creativity on a commercial footing

Andy Warhole. Painting Diptych Marilyn, 1962
Andy Warhole. Painting Diptych Marilyn, 1962

Andy Warhol was a sought-after American artist of the twentieth century, a gallery owner. He made a great contribution to the development of commercial pop art. Andy Warhol is rightfully considered the leader of such a trend as homo universale.

Andy Warhole
Andy Warhole

Biography of Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol was born in 1928 in the USA. Mother and father are ethnic Slovaks. Childhood passed in Pittsburgh. Andy Warhol inherited his love for art from his mother Julia. She painted Easter eggs, was fond of embroidery, made original flowers for sale from corrugated paper and other improvised materials.

Andy Warhol Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol

In the third grade, Warhol fell seriously ill, and was forced to be locked up for a long time. The disease of the nervous system affected the behavior of the child. Features of development provoked classmates to cruel jokes. In order to somehow distract himself, Andy begins to draw, tries to make collages. Growing up, the founder of pop art said that it was then that his artistic vision was formed.

After graduating from high school, he decided to study as an illustrator. He completed his studies in 1949. Immediately after receiving his diploma, Andy fulfilled his dream – to conquer New York. To gain experience, he did any job: he designed postcards and posters, he mastered the art of window dressing in stores. Soon Warhol was invited to cooperate with the editors of fashion magazines.

Andy Warhol Red Lenin (1987)
Red Lenin (1987)

In 1962, friends persuaded him to take part in the exhibition.

The exhibition brought the young artist recognition and numerous commissions. His income began to skyrocket and increased to $100,000 a year. He tried the screen printing method for the first time. For the first silkscreens, he used his own graphic works. Later, he improved the method: he reflected a picture on the canvas through the projector, and then manually traced the outline.

The introduction of the silkscreen method is one of the first steps towards replicating paintings. Not everyone supported Warhol’s innovative solutions.

In 1956, Andy Warhol was awarded an honorary prize, which established the Art Editors Club. On order from the Coca-Cola Corporation in 1960, Warhol developed a design for cans of this drink.

Andy Warhol Self-Portrait (1986)
Self-Portrait (1986)

The path to breathtaking success

In 1960-1962, the world of advertising is shocked by the appearance of a series of paintings dedicated to tin cans. At the same time, the designer created the famous cycle of paintings “Green Bottles of Coca-Cola”. The presentation was a resounding success. Although critics have expressed the opinion that Warhol’s paintings are soulless, promote facelessness and encourage consumer sentiment in society. After this exhibition, the work of Andy Warhol was elevated to the rank of conceptual art.

Andy Warhol Beethoven (1987)
Beethoven (1987)

In 1963, Warhol bought another house in New York and set up a studio in it. This workshop went down in the history of contemporary art as the “Factory”.

On June 3, 1968, Valerie Solanas wanted to kill him, she was a feminist. Luckily Andy survived. But the mood of his work has changed: his paintings were considered on the theme of violent death.

He died in New York on February 22, 1987 at the age of 58.

Andy Warhol Big Campbell's Soup Can 19c (Beef Noodle) (1962
Big Campbell’s Soup Can 19c (Beef Noodle) (1962
Brigitte Bardot (1987)
Brigitte Bardot (1987)
Brillo Soap Pads Boxes (1964)
Brillo Soap Pads Boxes (1964)
Christmas cards on table (1987)
Christmas cards on table (1987)
Elvis I & II (1963)
Elvis I & II (1963)
Mao (1972)
Mao (1972)
Marilyn Monroe (1968)
Marilyn Monroe (1968)
Mickey (1982)
Mickey (1982)
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