Blog #4: Artist's statements ideas.

During critiques for my artist's statement, I received a few critiques requesting I make more of a personal connection with Andy Warhol in terms of how we perceive things, not just how we both have small similarities.

I plan on making this connection clearer in drafts to come.

"I remember an art project I had back in 4th grade. The project was to research a famous artist that is interesting to you, and duplicate a piece of work that they've created. Searching through lists on the internet for artists that seemed intriguing to me, I came across a man who, at a glance, seemed to have no talent as an artist whatsoever: Andy Warhol. Searching through web pages I constantly saw his name, usually paired with a tomato soup can or a discolored photo of Marilyn Monroe. The style differed from the detailed self portraits and still lifes of plastic fruit I had seen in other commonly researched artists. Needless to say, I was “intrigued” how a man could create pictures of soup cans and arrange them in a way to seem artistic. However, upon asking the art teacher if I could continue researching Warhol and his perplexing modern style, the idea was shot down because of the “irrelevance to true art,” and I ended up researching an artist who created the same type of art I'd seen a hundred times over.

Andy Warhol, personally, is an inspiration. His style reflected something about him, something that defied the norms of society and expressed his true self; the kind of artwork that HE wanted to create. The creator of an 8 hour film of a man sleeping, Warhol is seen as the leader of the pop art movement in the 60's. His battered childhood shaped his lifestyle and views, not to mention his artwork. The way Warhol perceived household objects, turned them into pop art and made it have meaning can only be the work of a true artist, unlike what a certain 4th grade teacher may have said. Millions think of him as insane because of his actions that were different, when they should've been seen as unique.

Although Andy Warhol died several decades ago, he is still known as the “Prince of Pop Art who turned a soup can into a museum treasure.” The legend of the pop artist Warhol will continue to inspire and change people's perspectives on not only art, but anything that is deemed as different, to the abnormalities. Andy Warhol showed the world what happened when he told the norms of society "no," just like how my 4th grade art teacher told me. You can do what you want. You have to enjoy the lives you live, whether you be painting soup cans or cleaning houses, and let what people think of you, mean nothing."