Andy Warhol Exhibition Review

ANDY WARHOL EXHIBITION REVIEW

I’ve just visited the exhibition at the Art Gallery of South Australia to see Andy Warhol and Photography: A Social Media. It was tremendous. Here are my favourite things about the exhibition…

1.     SILVER WALLS! Oh my, this was so gloriously tactile and shinny. It made every frame and photograph pop off the wall. I kind of wanted hug the walls when the guards weren’t around… wanted to, but didn’t. I promise!

Eddie Cedrick photographed with Andy Warhol on display at the Art Gallery of South Australia.
Marilyn Monroe colourful screen prints by Andy Warhol on display at the Art Gallery of South Australia.

2.     Elvis. Because, he’s Elvis, but I just love how every room was filled with celebrities. You were immersed in Andy Warhol’s obsession with fame and also challenged by it.

Elvis shooting a gun, screen print by Andy Warhol on display at the Art Gallery of South Australia.

3.     Sitting on the couch was the absolute favourite part of the exhibition for my kids. This was a photo spot to sit and pretend to be in Andy Warhol’s studio. When we walked through the exhibition and I was constantly telling my boys they couldn’t touch that or sit on this, they were excited to be allowed to sit on this comfy, retro couch.

Leah Grant sitting in Andy Warhol's studio at the Art Gallery of South Australia

4.     There was two pieces from Andy Warhol’s studio that I loved seeing on display because they showed his process. It felt like such a peek behind the curtain moment. One was a photo of Marilyn Monroe with grid lines showing Warhol’s decision process to crop the photo and focus just on her face. That’s such a powerful tool for artists, deciding what to leave out is usually more important then what you leave in. Another display showed a photo of a soup can with messy marks, cutouts and tape. This gives you an idea of how Warhol planned out his soup can screen prints. It’s like you get to see inside his brain and understand just a little of his brilliant mind.

Campbell's Soup Can draft design by Andy Warhol from his studio.
Andy Warhol Soup Cans Campbell's on display at the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Art teachers, here’s a fun Andy Warhol resource for your classroom.