Andy Warhol (1928-1987) remains one of the most influential figures in contemporary art and culture as his works inspired a whole movement today known as Pop Art. His artwork explored the relationship between artistic expression, celebrity culture, and advertisement that was flourishing by the early 1960s. After a successful career as a commercial illustrator, Warhol began using many types of media, including hand drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, silk screening, sculpture, film, and music to capture the zeitgeist of his era. His observation that in the future “everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes” could not have been more prophetic.
Warhol was also a pioneer in computer-generated art starting in 1984, three years before his death. He founded Interview Magazine and was the author of numerous books as well as managing and producing the Velvet Underground, a rock band which had a strong influence on the evolution of punk rock music. His studio, The Factory, was a famous gathering place that brought together distinguished intellectuals, drag queens, playwrights, Bohemian street people, Hollywood celebrities, and wealthy patrons.
Warhol has also been the subject of numerous retrospective exhibitions, books, and feature and documentary films. Many of his creations are very collectible and are highly valuable today. The highest price ever paid for a Warhol painting was $105 million dollars for his 1963 canvas titled Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster). Warhol’s works include some of the most expensive paintings ever sold and he is exhibited in every major museum worldwide.