Andy Warhol Inspired

The multitude of colors each define something different in me

I was inspired by Andy Warhol's work of colorful silkscreens, particularly, his silkscreen of himself. Andy Warhol did not have many self-portraits of himself, but he expressed themes of self-identity and everyday life. Warhol liked to be around stowaways, cast offs, and unaccepted people and used them in his art because each person had a story with them. Even though their appearance made them seem unusual to the crowd, there was still more to them that Andy wanted the world to see. “The idea that character and personality are both immanent in appearance still exerts a strong influence even though it is riddled with ambiguities. (Finklestein 129)” Finkelstein's quote is important because the way a person looks does not usually define who they are. Andy fit perfectly into this category because he had many complexities and abnormalities with his skin, brain, and speech. No one would have ever believed that he would be so successful by simply allowing his personality and the personality of others to spill into his work. I used his pop art style of colors to express how I also have many stories in me. Furthermore, since Andy wanted people to focus on things that weren't usually paid attention to, he also used everyday appliances in his work. Campbell's tomato soup was included in his work because he wanted people to see that even though it's just a can with tasty soup, it sustains our life and allows us to continue to live the way we do. The colors also represent all the little things that are part of my life that help me live the way I do.