The US artist Andy Warhol (1928-1987) was an important member of the visual art movement called pop art. He used many types of mediums in his long career, such as hand drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, silk screening, sculpture, film and music. The artist was also a pioneer in using computer-generated art on Amiga computers which were introduced in 1985. He probes the connection between artistic expression, icon culture and commercials which were in rage in the 1960s. Many retrospective books were written, exhibitions were held and feature and documentary films made to celebrate his work. He also coined the extensively used expression “15 minutes of fame.” Many of his artworks are collectable items and valued highly.

‘Turquoise Marilyn’ (1962) — silkscreen ink on synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 36 inches x 36 inches — was replicated from a magazine still. The artist has placed her on a plain backdrop and used vibrant colours on her eyes, lips and earrings to make them prominent. The canvas was painted after Marilyn Monroe’s suicide and highlights her features. The painting was sold to a billionaire art collector Steven Cohen for 80 million dollars in 2007. — M.Z.A

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, November 20th, 2016