Andy Warhol - Artist

Andy Warhol is considered the pioneer of the Pop Art movement, he was born in Pennsylvania in 1928 and studies at the Carnegie Institute of Technology. After graduating he moved to New York and got his first big break when asked to illustrate an article entitles 'Success is a job in New York' for Glamour magazine in 1949. Andy Warhol was inspired by popular everyday items and icons, such as Coca Cola bottles, Campbell soup tins and faces such as Marilyn Monroe. By 1955 he was famous for his work and was an influential figure for inspiring younger artists. Andy Warhol not only painted but also made films centred around themes of repetition and boredom. He worked with the rock band, The Velvet Underground in 1965 and travelled around the country. In June 1968 he was shot in the chest by a woman who just walked into his studio. Warhol miraculously survived this incident and after he recovered continued his work. He started a magazine called interVIEW and published his book 'The Philosophy of Andy Warhol'. Andy Warhol passed away in February, 1968 after a routine gall bladder operation. The Andy Warhol Museum was opened in 1994 in Pittsburgh to commemorate the highly influential artist.

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