“The idea is not to live forever; it is to create something that will.”
Selected Works
Bio
Widely recognised as one of the most important artists of the 20th century, Andy Warhol (1928-1987) is famous for transforming everyday life and consumer culture into fine art.
Born in Pittsburgh in 1928 to parents recently emigrated from the European region now known as Slovakia, Warhol grew up in economically challenging circumstances. Still, his parents noticed and nurtured his artistic abilities, and following his graduation from university at Carnegie Mellon, in 1949 he travelled to New York City to begin a lucrative, award-winning career on Madison Avenue as a commercial artist. Unsatisfied with this success, Warhol turned his focus solely to art and became a pioneer of the Pop art movement, taking his astute observations of American culture and channeling them into groundbreaking yet accessible works of art such as Campbell’s Soup Cans, Marilyn, Green Coca-Cola Bottles and Brillo Boxes.
Still, Warhol’s influence stretches far beyond these iconic artworks. He is considered to have transformed the meaning of both art and the artist, expanding the parameters of what could be considered ‘art’ across the many mediums he worked in; which included painting, photography, filmmaking, writing, publishing, advertising, branding, performance, video, television, digital media and music.
Though Warhol died prematurely at the age of 58 in 1987, his cultural influence remains as impactful today as it was during his lifetime.
About The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc.
As the preeminent American artist of the 20th century, Andy Warhol challenged the world to see art differently. Since its founding in 1987, in accordance with Warhol’s will, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts has established itself among the leading funders of contemporary art in the United States. The Foundation has distributed over $300 million in cash grants which support the creation, presentation and documentation of contemporary visual arts, particularly work that is experimental, under-recognized or challenging in nature. The Foundation’s ongoing efforts to protect and enhance its founder’s creative legacy ensure that Warhol’s inventive, open-minded spirit will have a profound impact on the visual arts for generations to come. Proceeds the Foundation receives from licensing projects such as this contribute to the Foundation’s endowment from which these grants are distributed. For more information, please visit www.warholfoundation.org.
Andy Warhol artwork and quote ©️2026 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc.
