Andy Warhol and the Gatekeepers

James Warhola tells the story of his uncle Andy's early painting "Nosepicker I": what inspired it, how it was rejected by a show's judges, and how it influenced Warhol's later career.

[AliRadicali]

What I find really disheartening about the case of Andy Warhol and the other postmodernists is that the art world did not learn to be more open-minded about different art styles, the lesson they seemingly took away from it all was that abstract impressionism and conceptual art were now the approved art forms and realism and figurative art were taboo. And that cycle just seems to repeat itself over and over through art history.

[DouggieDinosaur]

Hi, James! There's a 90 year old painter in Kansas who is generating a lot of excitement. His name is Paul Seiwald.

[tthappyrock]

My mother was an artist. As I write, I am surrounded by her work--each telling a story. Different styles and media--many from before I was born. I treasure all of them! When I was a child, Mom took me to lots of art galleries, art museums and exhibitions. The Milwaukee Art Center in Wisconsin had/has (haven't been back east in decades) a gallery devoted to post modern art which features a couple of Worhol's works--one each of the iconic soup cans and of Marilyn Monroe. That post modern style may be what he's known for, but it's important to see his other works and see other facets of his art. I love the two pieces shared in your video. The renamed nose-picker evokes whimsy and revulsion simultaneously. The living room tells the story of a family and has a family of furniture. I love the use of colors and the action the off kilter items give it. The stories of Worhol's works are a good reminder that no matter how well-renowned someone is, they started out with doors closing on them and faced all sorts of gatekeepers. Everyone at every stage of life faces them. Had Warhol played along and created what was acceptable and what everyone else was doing would he be looked upon as one of the great post modern artists? Likely not.

[catblue]

That Warhol Living Room painting kind of reminds me of van Gogh's bedroom painting near the end of his life. Thank you for this video. It was interesting.

[MrSomeDonkus]

For me andy warhol represents the inception point of the modern attention economy. Whoever networks the strongest and shouts the loudest will be the one at the top. When the art world became less about art and more about marketing. Not that art hasnt always been somewhat about marketing yourself, its just that i feel that he really really cared about the marketing bit. Maybe not in his earlier pieces like as is shown in this video, but in the pieces he made at his rise and peak just feel like they have souless marketing cynicism seeped into every single inch of canvas. Like a modern disney film but as a painting. BUT as much as i dont personally like his artwork i think he had an eye for good art and used his clout to throw some pretty cool artists into the spotlight, like jean michel basquiat, even if it was only for selfish reasons.

[jessguatney]

I thought this story was a incredibly tasteful way to address the haters from your previous collab video. Keep going James Gurney!!

[SocratesAlexander]

5:00 I like the painting of his living room.

[tthomas]

I always loved his living room painting, it's so personal and well observed. It's also a reminder that Warhol started out as a poor kid from the wrong side of the tracks who didn't have much going for him other than drive and talent. To those who think all he had was shock tactics, take a look at his very charming illustrations, before the soup cans. Before he was a famous artist, he was a highly successful illustrator.

[capitalismoburgues]

What a surprise I was reading your book just a few minutes ago, outstand work 👌

[krysjez]

Love seeing this type of stuff, James. It feeds a different part of my hunger for inspiration.

[stephenhajosy]

Thank You for sharing your knowledge and joy of art

[onhandart]

Thank you for sharing that story! Warhol is one of my favorite artists, since he constantly broke the rules and invented his own direction.

[melissaamyx]

Cool storytime! And your friend looks ALOT like Andy Warhol. Definitely can tell they're related!

[knightsintodreams]

I love your content 💕 thank you for making videos

[lisabelloli]

As someone who lives in Pittsburgh, via Detroit, I think Pittsburghers appreciate art and the different genres because of AW and the Carnegie International. There is a willingness to pause, observe, and learn before judging or rejecting. And even in rejection, there is still an appreciation, an understanding. It makes Pittsburgh’s art scene vibrant and exciting. I say to those who are rejecting AW out of hand to look deeper, understand more. He’s famous and his art valuable for a reason.

[lubbertdas]

Is he referring to George Grosz (1893-1959) at 2:26?

[stephenjohnston]

I went to the Boston museum a few years back and saw a few of his paintings. One was where he pee'd on the painting as part of his performance art. I personally don't find it interesting, and I find him extremely over rated. If anything he established the attention seeking "me" generation.

[srednaart]

There are certainly always gatekeepers but I'm glad there are ways around them. I make artist videos like you James, and while I haven't done books yet I'd like to! Then there's my online shop...so we definitely have a lot more options of getting what we make out into the world. Great vid!😄

[pebbie]

Thanks for sharing this. As someone who studied art theory I will always appreciate Andy Warhol as a cultural icon

[genreartwithjb]

Well I don’t think artists are really gatekeepers. Traditionally artists have been one of the most marginalized and taken advantage of groups throughout history. Love your work, and you are one of my biggest influences, but felt I had to respectfully point this out:).