Andy Warhol: The Original Silkscreens

Showcasing 91 works, ranging from 1967-1987, this expansive selection reflects the personal relationship between the iconic artist and his friend and collaborator, Heiner Friedrich, which began in 1965.

In 1949, after completing his studies in commercial art from the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, Warhol moved to New York, where he quickly earned a reputation as one of the most highly regarded graphic designers in the city. After 1960, he devoted himself exclusively to art and, as a co-founder of Pop Art, became one of the world’s most prominent artists. By legitimizing the silkscreen technique that previously had been employed only for commercial use—and by selecting motifs from areas of consumer society—he pushed at and extended the limits of art, design, and commerce.

Warhol’s level of technical skill and in-depth knowledge of color is most vividly on display in this exhibition of original silkscreens. He is most recognized for his sensitivity to social trends, subtle political commentary, and ability to stylize everyday objects into masterpieces; but he was also an excellent craftsman. His unusually large formats and special treatments of the surface—diamond dust, relief printing, or fluorescent ink—give this encounter a particularly special experience.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website.