Edutainment > Quotes by Andy Warhol - 1928-1987

by Kunisada Utagawa 1786-1865

Andy Warhol - Biography
Ukiyo-e
copyright protected

The great merit of pop icon Andy Warhol was to demonstrate that a distinction between 'Fine Art' and 'Commercial Art' made no sense. This general 'leitmotiv' of Andy Warhol is reflected in a number of witty, intelligent, ironic or provocative quotes by the artist. The quotes again, are a good example of the artist's talent in selling his own art by winning attention and keeping a permanent high profile in the media.

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Andy Warhol and Ukiyo-e (Japanese Prints)

For copyright reasons we cannot show you any works or photos of Any Warhol. Instead we have decorated this page with old Ukiyo-e by Kunisada Utagawa 1786-1865.

Japanese prints made during the 18th, 19th and 20th century until roughly 1950 are good examples for commercial art. Ukiyo-e were made only for one purpose - to be sold as often as possible. These prints are neither numbered nor signed. And they catered for the taste of a mass audience. And as they were made to be sold, they had to be made well and attract the taste of the public.

During his time, Kunisada was one of the most successful ukiyo-e artists. His studio, in which Kunisada employed a large number of students, produced roughly 20,000 different designs of Japanese woodblock prints during the artist's lifetime.

I do not know if Andy Warhol was familiar with Japanese ukiyo-e. But he should have liked them. The philosophy of Japanese prints made before world war II was identical with Andy Warhol's art concept.

Quotes by Andy Warhol

by Kunisada Utagawa 1786-1

Ukiyo-e - Introduction
Woodblock Print
copyright protected

The quotes by Andy Warhol documented mainly in interviews and in several books are numerous. Most can be found in his book THE Philosophy of Andy Warhol, published in 1975.

"Making money is art, and working is art, nad good business is the best art."

"I loved working when I worked at commercial art and they told you what to do and how to do it and all you had to do was correct it and they'd say yes or no."

"In the future, everyone will be world famous for 15 minutes."

"I have been reading so much about China ... The only picture they ever have is of Mao Zedong. It's great. It looks like a silkscreen."

"If I had gone ahead and died ten years ago, I'd probably be a cult figure today."

"I think someone should be able to do all my paintings for me."

More Quotes by Andy Warhol

Kunisada Utagawa 1786-1865

Kunisada - Biography
Ukiyo-e
copyright protected

"What is great about this country is that America started the tradition that the richest consumers buy essentially the same things as the poorest."

"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself."

"Since people are going to be living longer and getting older, they will just have to learn how to be babies longer."

"If you want to know all about Andy Warhol, just look at the surface of my paintings and films and me, and there I am. There's nothing behind it."

Andy Warhol - Provocative

by Kunisada Utagawa 1786-1865

Japanese Print
copyright protected

In his later years, Andy Warhol changed his art philosophy by 180 degrees. Instead of producing mass art affordable for all, he began making art for few - commissioned by the wealthy and the famous. But it was a good business for him.

"I've decided something: Commercial things really do stink. As soon as it becomes commercial for a mass market it really stinks."

Dieter Wanczura
(October 2009)

Literature source used for this article about Andy Warhol

The Essential - Andy Warhol, by Ingrid Schaefner, Wonderland Press, Harry N. Abrams Inc., 100 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10011, ISBN 0-8109-5806-6.

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