Andy Warhol: Exhibition Review
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Manchester is such a great city with a great art scene. We have the Manchester Art Gallery, the Whitworth and lots of street art and fashions.
Being only a walking distance away from my college, the Whitworth has been a huge source of inspiration for me. Between the 19th November 2016 - 16th April 2017 Andy Warhol is featuring in their artist room. This is a great step for Manchester to have hold of such famous work.
Warhol, Pennsylvanian born, was considered the pioneer of the ‘Pop Art’ movement in the 50s. Creating works distinctive to his style, his Marilyns and Campbell tins are still recognisable today. Contrasting colours and repetitive prints were large themes of his work, the confidence which contrasted his personality which was shy and awkward.
In the Whitworth is some of his less famous works, which I think is a positive as it allows them to be appreciated more but it's also these pieces which in my opinion are more meaningful and thought provoking. Death is such an underlying theme in the whole exhibition. My favourite, 'Electric Chairs' (pictured) are a set of repetitive screen prints, feature an electric chair in an empty room. The bright and contrasting colours severely contrast against the empty metaphor of death. He created these during the controversy of the death penalty and the final executions to take place in New York. The garish palette in comparison with his black and white works compliment each other to encourage every piece to stand out.
I am excited to do a project about him in preparation for my uni application and I am so lucky to have him so close to home. All his work is extraordinary so make sure you get down there in time and check it out! They're more beautiful in person.
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