Warhol and his muse: his mother, Julia

#AndyWarhol (Andrew Warhola) was very close to his mother, Julia Warhola who he lived with for most of his life. She was the person who discovered young Andrew’s artistic talent, became his muse, and inspired many of his early works.

Julia inspired Andy’s Campbell’s Soup Can, a moniker of the pop art movement, which he claimed to be his favorite work of art. It evoked his memory of lunch with his mother while growing up in Pennsylvania.

Julia Warhola frequently collaborated on his art projects. Andy admired her works, and he often asked her to contribute her calligraphy to his illustrations and books.

They were distanced for some time before Julia decided to join Andy in New York. Together they rent a flat in Lexington Avenue, where they kept 25 cats. As Andy loved to apply things around him to his works, he didn’t miss a chance to illustrate his cats. These illustrations became part of the book named “25 Cats Name Sam and One Blue Pussy” that depicted his affection to the fluffy animals. And yes, all the calligraphy appeared in this book was written by his mother.

After the publication of “25 Cats Name Sam and One Blue Pussy” in 1959, Andy wrote a recipe book called “Wild Raspberries” in collaboration with his friend Suzy Frankfurt. They invented some recipes together, Andy illustrated them and Julia took part in calligraphy. (The draft of this recipe book is exhibited in Andy Warhol: Pop Art exhibition).

Andy was never far from his mom. He was buried next to his parents in the Byzantine cemetery. His mother had always advised him to live “in order not to be poor and to have enough money for a humble funeral” (an extract from Andy Warhol: Pop Art exhibition catalogue)

BRING YOUR MOM FOR FREE!

Treat your mom on Mother’s Day. Purchase your ticket for ANDY WARHOL: POP ART online or in the RCB Gallery shop and bring your mom for free!

OFFER APPLIES ON on 12th August 2020 ONLY.