Winter_2016_Preview

was a huge admirer and collector of American folk art. He began to collect in the 1950s while he was still a commercial artist. During breaks, Warhol combed Second Avenue antiques shops for pieces of folk art. In 1977, the American Folk Art Museum held the exhibition Folk and Funk, which celebrated Andy Warhol’s folk art collection. Warhol suddenly died on September 22, 1987 at the age of fifty- nine from complications after surgery. I acquired this “dude” when the contents of his New York City townhouse were sold by Sotheby’s in April 1988. The photograph was just recently discovered as it appeared in a video, “Andy Warhol’s Factory People.” It shows a thirty- three year old Warhol standing behind the chair while Ted Carey, who was one of Warhol’s pre-Pop assistants, cradles the “dude” in his arms. The photograph was likely taken by Edward Wallowitch who worked for Warhol as a photographer. The “dude” is articulated and his head slightly rotates. His face is humorous and bold, and he was painted with an assured expressionism worthy of a Matisse or a Picasso. ANDY WARHOL