Andy Warhol’s Polaroids

Posted by Fabio 19 March 2012

Given how much he is still with us, it is hard to believe that Andy Warhol died 25 years ago. Yet the quarter of a century since his death has only affirmed his artistic genius and prescience. With his paintings now iconic emblems of twentieth century art and his aphorisms and insights now a part of the vernacular it would seem there are few stones in Warhol’s oeuvre left unturned – yet his photography remains one of the least known aspects of his work.

This is ironic given how much of Warhol’s work was photo based. And as Warhol told an interview in 1963, “The reason I’m painting this way is because I want to be a machine”. In Warhol’s photography – he became the machine. His photographs present an opportunity not only to see how much he experimented with medium and form, but to understand the vast range of his interests – from the biggest stars to the handsomest boys to the most mundane objects.

Most surprisingly, in the world of multiples that was so much Andy’s world and vision, the photographs are nearly always unique. Whether taken in a photo booth, or with a Polaroid, or printed from 35mm negatives, Warhol never editioned or re-printed his photographs.

Andy Warhol: Photographer
Photographs From The Hedges collection
Danziger Gallery, NY
March 1 – April 21, 2012