The catalogue presents for the first time, in a coherent and visually fascinating array, the main works by Andy Warhol, accompanied by some of the original materials which inspired the artist.
The catalogue of the exhibition organized by the National Gallery and designed by Molly Donovan presents for the first time, in a coherent and visually fascinating array, the main works by Andy Warhol, accompanied by some of the original materials which inspired the artist. The works seem familiar because of the popular sources where they originated, mainly the New York tabloid newspapers. They include paintings, silk prints, prints, photographs and images taken from films and television productions. “An item of news”, which is not the actual event but its echo, its mark, or title, is raised to the pedestal of art. Warhol reminds us that a fact, however amazing it may be, does not become news until it is translated into a title, that is, unless it assumes a graphic form. Less famous than Marilyn or the Heinz Ketchup ads, this particular part of Warhol’s artistic production led to important professional partnerships, like the one with Keith Haring, and forged even stronger links with other artistic phenomena like conceptual or visual poetry. The essays which introduce the book are an interesting, completely new testimonial of this phenomenon. Andy Warhol (b. Pittsburgh, 6 August 1928 – d. New York, 22 February 1987) was an American painter, sculptor, film director, film producer, director of photography, actor, scriptwriter, and a leading exponent of the American Pop-art movement.