Pittsburgh Arts & Entertainment Winter 2013 | Page 14

Museums Museums The Man Who Painted the Campbell’s Soup Cans By Abby Mathieu Biography Andy Warhol was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1928, as Andrew Warhola. Andy was the youngest of three boys. As Andy grew older, his father noticed his talents and began saving money for his son to attend college. After graduating from Schenley High School, Warhol attended the Institute of Technology, now Carnegie Mellon University, from 1945-1949. There, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Pictorial Design. After graduating, Warhol uprooted to New York City to do commercial design. Here, he became one of the most successful illustrators of all time. In the 1960’s he began focusing more on painting and debuted his first Pop paintings. In 1962, he released his famous Campbell’s Soup Can painttings, and shortly after, he began releasing his celebrity portraits which featured individuals such as Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and Elizabeth Taylor. Aside from his Pop paintings, Warhol also produced videos, managed a band, published artists’ books, and much, much more. Throughout Warhol’s life, he experienced many health problems. On February 20, 1987, he experienced chronic gall bladder problems and was admitted into the hospital. The doctors were able to successfully take out Warhol’s gall bladder. However, complication arose over the night when Warhol went into cardiac arrest and passed away. He was only 58 years old. Monumental Moments for Warhol 1928 Andy Warhol is born in Pittsburgh, PA 1949 Warhol, 58, passes away at New York City Hospital Warhol releases the first edition of Interview Magazine Warhol graduates from the Institute of Technology an moves to NYC 1962 1969 Warhol introduces Campbell’s Soup Can painting 1974 1987 Warhol begins Time Capsules that are now stored at the Warhol Museum. Data obtained from warhol.org 13