Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol (born Andrew Warhola; the original surname of his parents was Varchola) August 6, 1928 – February 22, 1987) was an American painter, film-maker, publisher and a major figure in the pop art movement.

Social animal and private person

Warhol used to socialize at Serendipity and Studio 54, nightclubs in New York City. One of Warhol's favorite pop bands was Blondie; at one of the shows on their final tour in 1982 he also "fell in love" with both the music and the pretty looks of their opening act, Duran Duran. He maintained a friendship with the band (and especially keyboardist Nick Rhodes) for many years.

Related Topics:
Serendipity - Studio 54 - New York City - Blondie - 1982 - Duran Duran - Nick Rhodes

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Warhol was generally regarded as quiet and a meticulous observer or even a voyeur. More than one person jokingly referred to him as "death warmed over." He had a keen eye for art in general and furthered the Duchamp-esque notion that if you simply point at something and call it "art," it is. He was openly gay, rare for celebrities of his stature at the time, and paid tribute to many male friends and workers in his private art and collections. A meticulous collector, he organized almost every piece of paper, fan mail—after taking off the stamps—and magazine related to his fame along with personal notes, gay pornography and found artifacts into hundreds of numbered boxes and set them aside, never to open them again. Warhol referred to these boxes as his "time capsule". Many exist today and are available for research at his Pittsburgh museum.

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Warhol would regularly volunteer at the homeless shelters in New York, particularly during the busier times of the year. He described himself as a religious person, not fully accepted by religion because of his homosexuality. Many of his works contain almost hidden religious themes or subjects.

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Warhol died in New York City following routine gall bladder surgery at the age of 58. Warhol was afraid of hospitals and doctors, so he delayed having his recurring gall bladder problems checked.

Related Topics:
New York City - Gall bladder

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He is interred at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery south of Pittsburgh. Fellow artist Yoko Ono was among the speakers at his funeral.

Related Topics:
Catholic - Pittsburgh - Yoko Ono

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After his death it took Sotheby's several days to auction his estate, for a total gross amount of over 20 million dollars.

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Outside of the art world, Andy Warhol is best known for saying that "In the future, everyone will be world famous for 15 minutes." Over the course of his lifetime the phrase became popular enough to enter the public space. He later told reporters, humorously, "My new line is, 'In fifteen minutes everybody will be famous.'"

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