Artist Profile

Andrew Worhola Jr. (Andy Warhol)

Born: August 6th, 1928

Died: February 22nd, 1987

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

Father: Ondrej Warhola

Father's Occupation: Immigrant coal miner

Mother: Julia Warhola

Mother's Occupation: Stay-at-home mother, artist

Siblings: Pavol (Paul) and Jan (John) Warhola, both older

Education: Graduated from Schenley High School in 1945. He enrolled in the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, where he studied commercial art. Warhol earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in pictorial design in 1949.

Marriages/Romances/Friendships: Warhol was gay but never acted upon a romantic relationship. He used many of his friends in his art and managed the band The Velvet Underground, making several of their album covers.

8 Historical Events During Warhol's Lifetime: 

1962- British Invasion, death of Marilyn Monroe

1967- Summer of Love

1968- Assassination of MLK Jr. 

1969- Moon Landing, Woodstock

1975- end of Vietnam War

1984- HIV recognized as cause of AIDS

3 Struggles Warhol Faced:

• Warhol was gay but he was also a devout Catholic.
• On June 3rd, 1968 Warhol was shot in an attempted murder and barely survived.
• Warhol died due to an allergic reaction to penicillin after a gallbladder surgery. 

1 Thing Most People Do Not Know:

Andy Warhol died a virgin.

Mediums:

• Drawing/Painting
• Sculpture
• Audio
• Time Capsules
• Television
• Fashion
• Photography
• Graphics
• Theater

Movement: Pop Art

3 Famous Works:

"Marilyn Diptych"

"Campbell's Soup Cans"

"Eight Elvises"

2 Pieces That I Like:

"Silver Clouds"

Made in 1966, Silver Clouds showcased many balloons filled with helium and oxygen. The 

piece was interactive, so viewers could be touched by the artwork.

"Big Electric Chair"

This work made in 1967 took a picture of several electric chairs after they had been used to execute criminals. This was a very controversial subject in New York, where Warhol lived at the time.