Art History Snapshot: Andy Warhol

Have you ever looked at a can of soup and thought of art? How about a sandwich or a banana? Well when Andy Warhaol looked at these everyday objects he thought that they could be turned into something wonderful and he was right! Explore Andy Warhol and pop art and try your hand at making everyday objects a work of art.

What is Andy known for?

Known as the Prince of Pop Art
Turned a soup can into a museum treasure
His works explore the relationship between artistic expression, celebrity culture, and advertising
He coined the expression 15 minutes of fame

What is Pop Art?

Pop art is an art movement that emerged during the mid- to late-1950s.

The style of art is based on simple, bold images of everyday items, such as soup cans, painted in bright colors. Pop artists created pictures of consumer product labels and packaging, photos of celebrities, comic strips, and animals.

Warhol was born on August 6, 1928, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
His given name was Andrew Warhola
His Parents were immigrants from Slovakia.
When he was 8 he developed a neurological disorder called Sydenham Chorea, which left him bedridden. It was during this time that he discovered his love of art.
He became a fan of photography when his mother bought him a camera at age 9.

Photos from Andy’s childhood.

Mediums Used

He utilized a variety of media, including painting, silk-screening, photography, film, and sculpture.

From Ross’ Air Force days.

Trademark “Blotted-Ink” Style

Original blotted ink style advertisement done by Andy.

Macintosh Logo, 1985

Andy first exhibited the famous Campbell’s Soup Cans in 1962. The canvases were displayed together as a set. At the time, Campbell’s sold 32 soup varieties; each one of Warhol’s 32 canvases corresponds to a different flavor.

Portrait of Seymour H. Knox, 1985
Acrylics on canvas

Andy shopping for items for photoshoots.

Triple Elvis, 1963
Ink and silver paint
Sold for $81.9 million on Nov. 12, 2014

Green Coca-Cola Bottles, 1962
Oil on Canvas

Warhol has been described as playing dumb to the media. He sometimes refused to explain his work. He has suggested that all one needs to know about his work is “already there ‘on the surface.”