“My wife and I visited the exhibition twice.. we both feel priveleged that we have been able to view such a stunning exhibition so close to home and cannot thank you enough for making it possible. We are regular visitors to the De La Warr and make a point of seeing each exhibition I cannot imagine we will ever be so fortunate to see an exhibition of such reknown again, but rest assured you will continue to get our support.” (Exhibition Walk & Talk participant, 13 Nov)
Since the opening weekend of this landmark exhibition, The Pavilion has welcomed almost 75,000 visitors from across the globe.
Warhol Is Here explores the work of Andy Warhol in the context of his beliefs, lifestyle and above all, his legacy for the 21st century.
One of Warhol’s most important works, Marilyn Diptych (1962) is on display in Gallery 1. Made in 1962 shortly after the actress’ death, the painting comprises two canvasses, each containing 25 silkscreened repetitions of an image of Marilyn Monroe. The image was originally used to publicise her role in the film Niagra. Considered to be one of the world’s most important pieces of contemporary art, Marilyn Diptych (1962) was created at a time when Warhol was making the transition from commercial artist to establishing a reputation in fine art.
Other iconic works in the exhibition include prints from the Campbell’s Soupseries (1968), a group of Brillo Boxes (1968) and portrait paintings of Gilbert & George (1975), Joseph Beuys (1980) and Robert Mapplethorpe (1983). There are drawings from as early as the 1940s, stitched photographs, Polaroid self portraits, posters, and an entire gallery dedicated to his later paintings from the 1980s, including Camouflage (1986), a spectacular four-panel silkscreen.
On the rooftop foyer there is a companion exhibition The Search for Andy Warhol’s Voice (2011), curated and conceived by Dr. Jean Wainwright. A sound installation, the exhibition comprises tape recordings of interviews taken over the course of an eleven year journey to find Warhol’s voice, as told by those who were associated with him.
The recordings, played on old cassette players, contain the stories of Warhol’s collaborators, stars of his films, and his family. We hear his brothers John and Paul talk about growing up with Andy, as well as conversations with John Giorno, Gerard Malanga, Billy Name and Brigid Berlin, amongst others. This installation provides a unique insight into Andy Warhol the man – from the way he talked, to his working methods and relationship with family and lovers – brought together from the archives of Dr. Jean Wainwright. Photographs and objects from this extensive Warhol collection accompany the installation.
The show is assembled from a selection of works from ARTIST ROOMS, (a new collection of modern and contemporary art held by Tate and National Galleries of Scotland for the nation), as well as those sourced from Tate collection, The British Museum, V&A, Cecil Higgins Art Gallery other private collections.
Is owned jointly by Tate and National Galleries of Scotland and was established through The d’Offay Donation in 2008, with the assistance of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Art Fund and the Scottish and British Governments. ARTIST ROOMS is being shared with galleries and museums throughout the UK thanks to the support of independent charity, the Art Fund and the Scottish Government. ARTIST ROOMS On Tour with the Art Fund has been devised to enable this collection to reach and inspire new audiences across the country, particularly young people.
Is a membership charity that helps museums and galleries buy works of art for all to enjoy through awarding grants, campaigning and fundraising. Recent highlights include leading the £3.3 million campaign to save the Staffordshire Hoard, and helping to buy a new commission, Antony Gormley’s 6 Times, for the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. The Art Fund is financed by the generosity of its 80,000 members and supporters who have a passion for art and the institutions that house great collections.