Andy Warhol By: Karl Soderlund

Andy Warhol was a pioneer in Pop Art. He began his career as a commercial illustrator and ended as one of the most renowned and controversial artists of the last century. This painting is made up of a background of soup cans and many other familiar symbols of his life. Warhol is an inspiration for me and an iconic symbol for all.

In the 1960's Warhol's art evolved into many types of media. Including paint, print, photography, sculpture, film and music. While best known for his paintings and prints, his other media was just as impressive. He was part of the creation and manager of the band "The Velvet Underground", which was a leader in the evolution of punk rock music. He founded "Interview Magazine", authored numerous books and was a prolific filmmaker. As a supporter for the arts he founded the "New York Academy of Art" and the "Andy Warhol Foundation", which today is one of the largest grant-giving organizations in the U.S.

In 1968, Warhol was shot and seriously wounded by an art critic and curator. He barely survived and suffered the effects the rest of his life. Afterwords he became more introverted yet increasingly entrepreneurial. The bohemian days of "The Factory" we're never the same.

Today the Andy Warhol museum is the largest museum in the United States dedicated to a single artist. His art includes some of the most expensive paintings ever sold which is why many on Wall Street consider Warhol art sales a bellwether of the art market and the economy.