Biography
"Always leave them wanting less." -Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol was born August 6, 1928 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His mother would have no idea that she just gave birth to someone who would be known as one of the most influential pop artist of the 20th century. When Andy was born, his parents named him Andrew Warhola to correspond with his Slovakian decent. Andy had two other brothers growing up, Paul and John. Paul (Pavol) was born in 1922, and John (Ján) was born in 1925. IMDB.com's biography of Andy Warhol says that Andy's father was a construction worker, then later he became a coal miner, so Andy did not live a glamorous lifestyle in his early years. When he was a teenager, he suffered from several mental breakdowns.
After graduating highschool, he went on to college at Carnegie Institute of Technology; he graduated in June 1949. The website, IMBD.com, states in Andy Warhol's biography that after graduating college, Andy Wahola dropped the 'a' at the end of this last name, giving him the name Andy Warhol. Then he moved to New York City where he met Tina Fredericks, art editor of Glamour Magazine, which landed him with a job with the magazine. He was a drawer for the magazine, he drew things like womans's shoes. As a side job, he drew ads for other magazines like Vogue, Harper's Bazzar, and also did some holiday greeting cards.
In 1952, Andy's first exhibition was held at Hugo Gallery in New York that showcased drawings to illustrate the stores of Truman Capote. Andy also was illustrating books for authors. IMDB.com states that in 1954, he dyed his hair silver to have a more edgy look. Around this time he began publishing books. If you would like to see a list of some of the books he has published, and possibly buy them, you can check out this website.
In April 1956 Andy was part of his first group exhibition held at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The exhibition was called Recent Drawings USA. Because of all of this publicity, Andy began receiving honors for his work. He received the 35th Annual Art Award for Distinctive Merit for a shoe advertisement that he illustrated. in 1957, he received the 36th Annual Art Directors Club Medal and Award of Distinctive Merit for an ad posted in Life Magazine. IMDB.com states that Andy first started painting in 1960, which was when he painted one of his most well-known paintings, the Coca-Cola Bottles (as seen on the About page).
In 1962 he began painting dollar bills and his infamous Campbell soup cans. During this year, his work was showcased in, The New Realists, and exhibition of pop art at Sidney Janis Gallery in New York. In 1963 he rented a studio and met his assistant, Gerard Malanga, and in 1964 his first film, 'Tarzan and Jane Regained...Sort of', was released. He also bought his first loft, which became his main studio. He called it 'The Factory'. IMDB.com stats that in December he began his production of Red Jackie, the first of the Jackie series, which was a series of pop art images of Jackie Kennedy. In 1964 he had his first solo exhibition in Europe at the Galerie Ileana Sonnebend in Paris which features his Flower Series. In April he recieved an Independent Film Award from Film Culture magazine, and in November he began his self portrait series.
Suprisingly, in 1965, he announced his retirement from painting. This retirement did not last long though; in 1972 Andy began painting again. IMDB.com states that around this time, he met Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison, and Maureen Tuker; members of a band called The Velvet Underground. He also met Nico, who was a singer also. They all formed a close alliance that "forever changed the face of world culture", as stated by IMDB.com. The Velvet Underground and Nico created an albom, which was produced by Andy. The album, The Velvet Underground and Nico, was called "the most influential record ever" by many critics. This album can be purchased off of iTunes. On June 3, 1968, Warhol was shot by Valerie Solanis, who was the founder of SCUM (Society for Cutting Up Men). Andy spent two months in a hospital, but survived. The incident became a film in 1996 called I Shot Andy Warhol. Andy could never emotionally recover from his close encounter with death, though. IMDB.com states that in the 1970s and 1980s he was known as a media icon. He attended many parties and was a role model for younger artists.
Sadly, in 1987, Andy Warhol died from complecations after having a routine gallbladder operation. Andy Warhol's name still lives on today, and he is still known as "The Father of Pop Art." He was a very independent, talented man who left his legacy behind for others to become inspired.
"I'm not afraid to die, I just don't want to be there when it happens." - Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol was born August 6, 1928 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His mother would have no idea that she just gave birth to someone who would be known as one of the most influential pop artist of the 20th century. When Andy was born, his parents named him Andrew Warhola to correspond with his Slovakian decent. Andy had two other brothers growing up, Paul and John. Paul (Pavol) was born in 1922, and John (Ján) was born in 1925. IMDB.com's biography of Andy Warhol says that Andy's father was a construction worker, then later he became a coal miner, so Andy did not live a glamorous lifestyle in his early years. When he was a teenager, he suffered from several mental breakdowns.
After graduating highschool, he went on to college at Carnegie Institute of Technology; he graduated in June 1949. The website, IMBD.com, states in Andy Warhol's biography that after graduating college, Andy Wahola dropped the 'a' at the end of this last name, giving him the name Andy Warhol. Then he moved to New York City where he met Tina Fredericks, art editor of Glamour Magazine, which landed him with a job with the magazine. He was a drawer for the magazine, he drew things like womans's shoes. As a side job, he drew ads for other magazines like Vogue, Harper's Bazzar, and also did some holiday greeting cards.
In 1952, Andy's first exhibition was held at Hugo Gallery in New York that showcased drawings to illustrate the stores of Truman Capote. Andy also was illustrating books for authors. IMDB.com states that in 1954, he dyed his hair silver to have a more edgy look. Around this time he began publishing books. If you would like to see a list of some of the books he has published, and possibly buy them, you can check out this website.
In April 1956 Andy was part of his first group exhibition held at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The exhibition was called Recent Drawings USA. Because of all of this publicity, Andy began receiving honors for his work. He received the 35th Annual Art Award for Distinctive Merit for a shoe advertisement that he illustrated. in 1957, he received the 36th Annual Art Directors Club Medal and Award of Distinctive Merit for an ad posted in Life Magazine. IMDB.com states that Andy first started painting in 1960, which was when he painted one of his most well-known paintings, the Coca-Cola Bottles (as seen on the About page).
In 1962 he began painting dollar bills and his infamous Campbell soup cans. During this year, his work was showcased in, The New Realists, and exhibition of pop art at Sidney Janis Gallery in New York. In 1963 he rented a studio and met his assistant, Gerard Malanga, and in 1964 his first film, 'Tarzan and Jane Regained...Sort of', was released. He also bought his first loft, which became his main studio. He called it 'The Factory'. IMDB.com stats that in December he began his production of Red Jackie, the first of the Jackie series, which was a series of pop art images of Jackie Kennedy. In 1964 he had his first solo exhibition in Europe at the Galerie Ileana Sonnebend in Paris which features his Flower Series. In April he recieved an Independent Film Award from Film Culture magazine, and in November he began his self portrait series.
Suprisingly, in 1965, he announced his retirement from painting. This retirement did not last long though; in 1972 Andy began painting again. IMDB.com states that around this time, he met Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison, and Maureen Tuker; members of a band called The Velvet Underground. He also met Nico, who was a singer also. They all formed a close alliance that "forever changed the face of world culture", as stated by IMDB.com. The Velvet Underground and Nico created an albom, which was produced by Andy. The album, The Velvet Underground and Nico, was called "the most influential record ever" by many critics. This album can be purchased off of iTunes. On June 3, 1968, Warhol was shot by Valerie Solanis, who was the founder of SCUM (Society for Cutting Up Men). Andy spent two months in a hospital, but survived. The incident became a film in 1996 called I Shot Andy Warhol. Andy could never emotionally recover from his close encounter with death, though. IMDB.com states that in the 1970s and 1980s he was known as a media icon. He attended many parties and was a role model for younger artists.
Sadly, in 1987, Andy Warhol died from complecations after having a routine gallbladder operation. Andy Warhol's name still lives on today, and he is still known as "The Father of Pop Art." He was a very independent, talented man who left his legacy behind for others to become inspired.
"I'm not afraid to die, I just don't want to be there when it happens." - Andy Warhol
