What Is Warhol Pop Art? Why Is Warhol Often Affiliated With Pop Art?

When you hear pop art, the word that first comes to mind is Warhol. What is Warhol pop art? Why is Warhol always associated with pop art?

Warhol is the surname of a popular artist whose full name is Andy Warhol. There’s a chance you’re familiar with his works; you probably have seen those Campbell soup cans that happen to be turned into works of art, those are examples of unforgettable Warhol art.

Andy Warhol was born in Pittsburgh, and his original name was Andrew Warhola. As a young child, he already showed interest, and great talent, in painting. During the sixties, he started using commercial products like Campbell soup cans and Coke bottles for his art. Later on, he popularized the images of different people such as Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley by making a silkscreen portrait of them.

Andy Warhol developed into the principal figure in pop art. He came to be seen interacting with all types of people; from Hollywood personalities to bohemians and intellectuals—Warhol spent time with them all, and this has certainly influenced his art. Warhol did not come from a rich family, but he steadily worked his way to fame and fortune.

The reason why Andy Warhol is linked to pop art can be seen above. Pop art is short for popular art. Prior, art was thought to be for the elite; it was made by and for wealthy people. This was referred to as the fine arts. Low art were those which were used for magazine covers, illustrations, and other such art. Andy Warhol strived to create a level ground for high art and low art. In a way, he elevated low art, and at the same time help the masses reach, or understand, high art.

He later on created shoes, bags, and dresses which featured his own art, which he mass produced. He also started producing experimental films. All of these helped “create” the Andy Warhol that we know today. This popularized Warhol pop art; individuals love his colourful and brash artworks, which can be very playful.

Naturally, just as Warhol became famous, his works of art also became very controversial. He used icons from advertising, Hollywood, and even cartoons. Yet regardless each of the criticisms surrounding his work, Warhol has without doubt won over them, as his works of art are recognized all over the world. Warhol pop art has not only taken over America, but in all other countries as well; we see his artworks everywhere—in T-shirts, bags, shoes, magazines, even web sites. Undeniably, Warhol has successfully conquered the market, just as he wanted to do whilst he was still alive. But Warhol pop art didn’t become famous considering that Warhol tried his best to ‘sell’ his art; many people loves his art as it is a refreshing change from the classical painting that we percieve, and it wrecks our notion of what art really should be.

Today, Warhol pop art can be seen practically anywhere. One can say that Andy Warhol succeeded in creating a unique kind of art, and at the same time spread the word about his bizarre and playful works. Upon his death, the Andy Warhol Museum was created in his hometown in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.