Andy Warhol: Late Self Portraits

Andy Warhol: Late Self Portraits

It’s not every day Graves open an exhibition from one of the greatest artists of the 20th Century. Discover the side of himself Andy Warhol wanted to show the world in this small but punch-packing new show.

Andy Warhol was also the most photographed American artist of the 20th century. But what do the images he created of himself really tell us about him? Who was Warhol?

This new exhibition of self-portraits, from the late seventies until just before his untimely death in 1987, reveals the many faces of the artist who succeeded in becoming a household name. Though the intense and dramatic portraits invite us to read endlessly into them, the ‘real’ Andy remains elusive. Chameleon-like, he plays many roles, from pop star to shy introvert. The spectre of premature death, which had haunted Warhol since his near-fatal shooting in 1968, hovers in the background of these pictures.

Andy Warhol: Late Self-Portraits features some of Warhol’s most iconic pictures and is co-curated by art collector Anthony d’Offay, who mounted the first UK exhibition of Warhol self-portraits in 1986. To watch a short video of Anthony talking about his relationship with Andy Warhol, click here. The exhibition will also offer a unique insight into the ‘real’ Andy Warhol from the people who knew him best. Created by art historian Dr Jean Wainwright, The Search for Andy Warhol’s Voice features a series of audio recordings of Warhol’s family and close friends talking about the artist’s childhood, relationships and approach to his work.

The works going on display at the Graves Gallery are taken from ARTIST ROOMS, an inspirational collection of modern and contemporary art donated by Anthony d’Offay to Tate and National Galleries of Scotland for the nation. The ARTIST ROOMS tour, now in its fourth year, is showing at 17 museums and galleries across the UK in 2012. The tour is made possible thanks to the support of national fundraising charity the Art Fund which helps UK museums and galleries to buy, show and share art.