Warhol-mania has been resurrected, with new exhibitions, documentaries, and shows coming out of the woodwork. We visited the current exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum, Andy Warhol: Revelation, to experience the first master of brands' lifelong take on his faith, exploring themes of “life and death, power and desire, the role and representation of women, Renaissance imagery, family and immigrant traditions and rituals, depictions and duplications of Christ, and the Catholic body and queer desire.”
Andy Warhol: Revelation, All Photos: Carl Riley, Brooklyn Museum
Simply go to enjoy the power of these pieces or dive into how Warhol crafted such a robust and unmistakable brand, still making waves 35 years after his passing. With all the varied subject matters represented in this exhibition, each piece is distinctly Warholian because of its unique yet indisputable nature.
Even to a layperson, the Warhol brand’s easily perceived because of its roots in screen printing, each work embodying a notorious bold yet flat style. From the beginning of his career, Warhol strategically chose to utilize his expertise in screen printing; to showcase his craftsmanship, because it was economical and allowed him to build his brand by quickly reproducing art in large quantities.
The pop genius wanted to make art accessible to everyone, meaning commercially. His art is not meant to exclude anyone but break free from the subjugation of high society by glorifying every object (i.e., Soup Cans and Marilyn). Warhol remained disciplined and steadfast in always sticking with his brand, never wavering. This consistency allowed his art and name to persist and stand the test of time, thus producing his reputation as the first master of branding.
Andy Warhol, The Last Supper (1986) Photo: Carl Riley, Brooklyn Museum
Go Check out Andy Warhol: Revelation through its run until June 19th. The Brooklyn Museum will also show his next exhibition Andy Warhol: The Last Decade, through September, or view the Netflix docu-series, The Andy Warhol Diaries, now streaming.