Sempre Meglio: Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol was one of the most important artists in the Pop art movement in America. Warhol became as famous as many of the celebrities he portrayed in his popular screen prints.

Andy Warhol

Among his many popular quotes and comments he stated famously that "In the future everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes."

Warhol was born Andrew Warhola in 1928 to Slovakian parents. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Warhol studied Commercial Art. He then moved then moved to New York to begin a career in illustration and advertising.

"Business art is the step that comes after Art. I started as a commercial artist, and I want to finish as a business artist." Andy Warhol

During the 1960s Andy Warhol produced many of his most famous and iconic images. He had now moved into "the Factory", a large building located on Union Square in New York City where him and his team of hired workers were mass producing screen prints of popular culture. Famous works from the period included the Cambells Soup Cans, Coke Bottles, Disaster paintings and pop icon portraits such as Marilyn Monroe. Warhol also started making 16mm films during the 60s with titles like "Chelsea Girls" and "Blow Job".

The Factory as he called it was not just the working space for the artist and his workers but was also a meeting place for all kinds of creative and talented people. Artists, musicians, writers and actors frequented the Factory.

Edie Sedgwick, Andy Warhol's “Superstar”

Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick

Andy Warhol was extensively exhibiting his works in well know art galleries and museums around the world in the 70s and 80s. His celebrity was almost as great as his famous portraits of Mick Jagger, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley.

He published "The Philosophy of Andy Warhol (from A to B and back again)", started the "Interview" fashion magazine (still published today), and worked on several television projects including "Andy Warhol's Fifteen Minutes" produced for MTV. Warhol also collaborated with several up and coming painters including Keith Haring, Francesco Clemente, and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

In 1987 on February 22 Andy Warhol died. After a non-threatening gall bladder operation complications arose and Warhol passed away. His funeral was his final act of celebrity with more than 2000 people attending it. Many celebrities, artists, musicians and influential people attended, with Yoko Ono among those who spoke at his funeral.

"Death means a lot of money, honey. Death can really make you look like a star." Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol was a methodical and obsessive person with a great love of art, wealth and fame. He amassed a great fortune during his life time and achieved fame like no painter before him had achieved. He merged art, wealth and fame producing the Pop Artist Andy Warhol.