Early Life

Andy Warhola was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1928. He was an American artist and a leader of the pop art movement of the 1960s. When Andy was eight years old, he was sick in bed for several months, and his artistic mother gave him his first drawing lessons. He also read celebrity magazines and DC comic books. Growing up, he enjoyed movies. His mother bought him a camera, and he took up photography. He developed film in a makeshift darkroom in the basement and attended free art classes at the Carnegie Institute.

Education and Early Career

In 1949, Andy received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Carnegie Institute for Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University). He moved to New York City to work as a commercial artist. At this time, he dropped the "a" at the end of his last name. He worked for Columbia Records, Glamour magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, NBC, Tiffany's, and Vogue. He became one of the most successful commercial artists of the 1950s and won many awards.

Pop Art and Fame

Andy soon became interested in painting and the idea of "pop art” – paintings of mass-produced commercial goods. He painted comic book characters, Campbell's soup cans, Coca-Cola bottles, and hamburgers. He also painted vivid portraits of celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Mick Jagger, and Mao Zedong. His work blurred the line between fine art and commercial art. He developed a silk screen technique to create repetitive designs.

Other Artistic Pursuits

Andy Warhol had many interests and was ambitious to become famous and wealthy. He made large sculptures of supermarket products such as Brillo boxes and Heinz Ketchup boxes. He created hundreds of films, some scripted and some improvised, including Empire, The Chelsea Girls, and the Screen Tests. In 1968, Valerie Solanas, an actress in one of his films, shot Andy and Mario Amaya. Andy was seriously injured and never fully recovered.

Campbell's Soup

Later Life and Death

As he grew older, Andy became more outlandish in his work and personal appearance. He is famous for saying, "In the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes." He died on February 22, 1987, from complications after gall bladder surgery.

Marilyn Monroe

Most Famous Quote

"In the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes."

Discussion Questions

1. How did Andy Warhol's childhood influence his artistic career?
2. Why was Warhol considered a leader of the pop art movement?
3. What was unique about Andy Warhol's approach to art?
4. How did Warhol's interest in fame shape his artwork and life choices?

Glossary

• Pop Art: An art movement that uses imagery from popular and mass culture, such as advertising and comic books.
• Silk Screen: A printing technique that uses a woven mesh to support an ink-blocking stencil.
• Commercial Artist: An artist who creates artwork for advertisements, magazines, and other commercial uses.
• Improvised: Created or performed without preparation.
• Mass-Produced: Items made in large quantities using machines in factories.

Five Interesting Facts

1. Andy Warhol originally spelled his last name as "Warhola."
2. He developed his first art skills while bedridden as a child.
3. Warhol's Campbell's Soup paintings are among the most iconic works of pop art.
4. He survived a near-fatal shooting in 1968 by Valerie Solanas.
5. Warhol also made hundreds of experimental films in addition to his paintings.

Timeline of Andy Warhol's Life

• 1928: Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
• 1936: Became ill and began drawing lessons from his mother.
• 1949: Graduated from Carnegie Institute for Technology; moved to New York City.
• 1950s: Became a successful commercial artist for major magazines and companies.
• 1962: Created his famous Campbell's Soup Can paintings.
• 1964: Produced large Brillo Box sculptures.
• 1965: Released his film Empire.
• 1966: Released The Chelsea Girls.
• 1968: Shot by Valerie Solanas; severely injured.
• 1970s: Continued producing art and expanding his celebrity status.
• 1980s: Created new works, collaborated with young artists, and remained influential.
• 1987: Died from complications after gall bladder surgery.