Andy Warhol and the Gatekeepers

James Warhola tells the story of his uncle Andy's early painting "Nosepicker I": what inspired it, how it was rejected by a show's judges, and how it influenced Warhol's later career.
Forbes article: www.forbes.com/sites/natashag...
Phillips auction page: www.phillips.com/detail/andy-...

Пікірлер: 97

  • @DouggieDinosaur
    @DouggieDinosaur Жыл бұрын

    Hi, James! There's a 90 year old painter in Kansas who is generating a lot of excitement. His name is Paul Seiwald.

  • @AliRadicali
    @AliRadicali Жыл бұрын

    What I find really disheartening about the case of Andy Warhol and the other postmodernists is that the art world did not learn to be more open-minded about different art styles, the lesson they seemingly took away from it all was that abstract impressionism and conceptual art were now the approved art forms and realism and figurative art were taboo. And that cycle just seems to repeat itself over and over through art history.

  • @JamesGurney

    @JamesGurney

    Жыл бұрын

    Yeah, it's amazing that people are still fighting the same battles. Actually when Warhol presented these paintings, he faced opposition from the abstract expressionists, who didn't approve of his representational instincts. The soup cans and Marilyns were a challenge to abstract orthodoxy. I admire people like Andrew Wyeth, Ogden Pleissner, and Pietro Annigoni, who stayed independent of the mid-century prejudices and painted what they wanted.

  • @JOSEPH-vs2gc

    @JOSEPH-vs2gc

    Жыл бұрын

    Nothing against Warhol, but he gave mediocre artists permission to be mediocre. He also did the same thing for the music scene by supporting the Velvet Underground, which then in-turn spawned a generation of mediocre bands. lol...

  • @yemo34

    @yemo34

    Жыл бұрын

    @@JOSEPH-vs2gc You mean the entire Punk genre? That's still around and has influenced almost every genre of music in this century?

  • @JOSEPH-vs2gc

    @JOSEPH-vs2gc

    Жыл бұрын

    @@yemo34 Not every punk rocker is going to be as interesting as the Ramones or Motorhead dude, most of Punk actually Sucks Musically speaking. Sorry to break it to you hahah.

  • @ediesedgwick4462

    @ediesedgwick4462

    Жыл бұрын

    @@JOSEPH-vs2gc I agree. I admire Warhol's business acumen, but his art? Eh.

  • @tthappyrock368
    @tthappyrock368 Жыл бұрын

    My mother was an artist. As I write, I am surrounded by her work--each telling a story. Different styles and media--many from before I was born. I treasure all of them! When I was a child, Mom took me to lots of art galleries, art museums and exhibitions. The Milwaukee Art Center in Wisconsin had/has (haven't been back east in decades) a gallery devoted to post modern art which features a couple of Worhol's works--one each of the iconic soup cans and of Marilyn Monroe. That post modern style may be what he's known for, but it's important to see his other works and see other facets of his art. I love the two pieces shared in your video. The renamed nose-picker evokes whimsy and revulsion simultaneously. The living room tells the story of a family and has a family of furniture. I love the use of colors and the action the off kilter items give it. The stories of Worhol's works are a good reminder that no matter how well-renowned someone is, they started out with doors closing on them and faced all sorts of gatekeepers. Everyone at every stage of life faces them. Had Warhol played along and created what was acceptable and what everyone else was doing would he be looked upon as one of the great post modern artists? Likely not.

  • @catblue6393
    @catblue6393 Жыл бұрын

    That Warhol Living Room painting kind of reminds me of van Gogh's bedroom painting near the end of his life. Thank you for this video. It was interesting.

  • @paragozar

    @paragozar

    Жыл бұрын

    I thought the same

  • @MrSomeDonkus
    @MrSomeDonkus Жыл бұрын

    For me andy warhol represents the inception point of the modern attention economy. Whoever networks the strongest and shouts the loudest will be the one at the top. When the art world became less about art and more about marketing. Not that art hasnt always been somewhat about marketing yourself, its just that i feel that he really really cared about the marketing bit. Maybe not in his earlier pieces like as is shown in this video, but in the pieces he made at his rise and peak just feel like they have souless marketing cynicism seeped into every single inch of canvas. Like a modern disney film but as a painting. BUT as much as i dont personally like his artwork i think he had an eye for good art and used his clout to throw some pretty cool artists into the spotlight, like jean michel basquiat, even if it was only for selfish reasons.

  • @yuzan3607

    @yuzan3607

    18 күн бұрын

    Never liked him neither as an artist nor as a person. He reminds me of the vain influencers of today, the like of the Kardashians.

  • @suburbanhomestead
    @suburbanhomestead Жыл бұрын

    Loved this short documentary James.

  • @krysjez
    @krysjez Жыл бұрын

    Love seeing this type of stuff, James. It feeds a different part of my hunger for inspiration.

  • @northernbirder7351
    @northernbirder7351 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks, James. Really interesting.

  • @knightsintodreams
    @knightsintodreams Жыл бұрын

    I love your content 💕 thank you for making videos

  • @aliceprofitt8506
    @aliceprofitt8506 Жыл бұрын

    Fascinating! Loved this.

  • @shoeshoe4697
    @shoeshoe4697 Жыл бұрын

    Fascinating video!

  • @theartofcharleen
    @theartofcharleen Жыл бұрын

    Enjoyed this story time! Thank You!

  • @SocratesAlexander
    @SocratesAlexander Жыл бұрын

    5:00 I like the painting of his living room.

  • @Zine2me
    @Zine2me Жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @capitalismoburgues5549
    @capitalismoburgues5549 Жыл бұрын

    What a surprise I was reading your book just a few minutes ago, outstand work 👌

  • @MisterBigDave
    @MisterBigDave Жыл бұрын

    Thanks! Great stuff!

  • @melissaamyx2196
    @melissaamyx2196 Жыл бұрын

    Cool storytime! And your friend looks ALOT like Andy Warhol. Definitely can tell they're related!

  • @stephenhajosy6763
    @stephenhajosy6763 Жыл бұрын

    Thank You for sharing your knowledge and joy of art

  • @manko8852
    @manko8852 Жыл бұрын

    Great story , thanks for sharing ❤

  • @lotusphere6
    @lotusphere6 Жыл бұрын

    Good stuff. Thanks for sharing. 🙂

  • @saradosiggi5287
    @saradosiggi5287 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this beautiful story

  • @jessguatney
    @jessguatney Жыл бұрын

    I thought this story was a incredibly tasteful way to address the haters from your previous collab video. Keep going James Gurney!!

  • @leanneland
    @leanneland Жыл бұрын

    What a fascinating video!

  • @tthomas184
    @tthomas184 Жыл бұрын

    I always loved his living room painting, it's so personal and well observed. It's also a reminder that Warhol started out as a poor kid from the wrong side of the tracks who didn't have much going for him other than drive and talent. To those who think all he had was shock tactics, take a look at his very charming illustrations, before the soup cans. Before he was a famous artist, he was a highly successful illustrator.

  • @GudokiArt
    @GudokiArt Жыл бұрын

    awesome!

  • @honey3762
    @honey3762 Жыл бұрын

    I love that Andy's family respects his work. I've been a big fan of his for years. He was such a wild person, thinker and artist. Love it.

  • @genreartwithjb5095
    @genreartwithjb509510 ай бұрын

    Well I don’t think artists are really gatekeepers. Traditionally artists have been one of the most marginalized and taken advantage of groups throughout history. Love your work, and you are one of my biggest influences, but felt I had to respectfully point this out:).

  • @indecay8756
    @indecay8756 Жыл бұрын

    This is just a commercial? :((

  • @lisabelloli
    @lisabelloli Жыл бұрын

    As someone who lives in Pittsburgh, via Detroit, I think Pittsburghers appreciate art and the different genres because of AW and the Carnegie International. There is a willingness to pause, observe, and learn before judging or rejecting. And even in rejection, there is still an appreciation, an understanding. It makes Pittsburgh’s art scene vibrant and exciting. I say to those who are rejecting AW out of hand to look deeper, understand more. He’s famous and his art valuable for a reason.

  • @onhandart
    @onhandart Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for sharing that story! Warhol is one of my favorite artists, since he constantly broke the rules and invented his own direction.

  • @stephenjohnston2502
    @stephenjohnston2502 Жыл бұрын

    I went to the Boston museum a few years back and saw a few of his paintings. One was where he pee'd on the painting as part of his performance art. I personally don't find it interesting, and I find him extremely over rated. If anything he established the attention seeking "me" generation.

  • @srednaart
    @srednaart Жыл бұрын

    There are certainly always gatekeepers but I'm glad there are ways around them. I make artist videos like you James, and while I haven't done books yet I'd like to! Then there's my online shop...so we definitely have a lot more options of getting what we make out into the world. Great vid!😄

  • @erikbihari3625
    @erikbihari3625 Жыл бұрын

    Nice!

  • @yemo34
    @yemo34 Жыл бұрын

    The OG meme magic wizard. Guy was everywhere at the right time.

  • @josesoares9986
    @josesoares9986 Жыл бұрын

    Hi Mr. Gurney, I miss you!

  • @sujanithtottempudi2991
    @sujanithtottempudi2991 Жыл бұрын

    James not relevant question, but i need to hear from you....why do you use gouache than watercolour for plein air, as watercolour easy to spread and use....although it has problems of light over dark?

  • @paragozar
    @paragozar Жыл бұрын

    Then there was Bill Eggleston when he came out with the mundane color pictures.......

  • @hazel4733
    @hazel4733 Жыл бұрын

    Nice

  • @SureEnough
    @SureEnough Жыл бұрын

    I wonder if James Gurney has made controversial art

  • @gabudaichamuda2545
    @gabudaichamuda2545 Жыл бұрын

    *Warehouse workers, that's what they do: They pick their nose* That's a half-joke. You breathe in so much gunk in most warehouse settings it's almost impossible not to.

  • @pebbie
    @pebbie Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for sharing this. As someone who studied art theory I will always appreciate Andy Warhol as a cultural icon

  • @Mike-zu8ge
    @Mike-zu8ge Жыл бұрын

    HI everyone. Sorry I am a French who want buy the videos of James Gurney. I go on the official website. But I don't buy the items. Do you have a solution for an Art lover and practitioner ? I live near to Auxerre. But don't deliver in Auxerre. Thanks for your watching and Answer. I wanted to start by 2 items. "Gouache in the wild" and "Fantasy in the wild".

  • @orbahalul8426
    @orbahalul8426 Жыл бұрын

    Hi jamess

  • @lubbertdas3797
    @lubbertdas37979 ай бұрын

    Is he referring to George Grosz (1893-1959) at 2:26?

  • @artyuwana
    @artyuwana Жыл бұрын

    waow legend

  • @dana2819
    @dana2819 Жыл бұрын

    Are you the author of the book Color and Light? Does it have an Arabic translation?? Please.

  • @sujanithtottempudi2991
    @sujanithtottempudi2991 Жыл бұрын

    James , do you feel watercolour is most toughest medium of all? If not which is most difficult medium in painting and why?

  • @mathilda6763

    @mathilda6763

    Жыл бұрын

    blood is a difficult medium. I've seen a piece like that and it was tbh a big anticlimactic because it essentially was brown, dried blood on white canvas. they had a video of the painting process though which was really something. the artist used her hair as a paintbrush and her own (period) blood as paint. I think she mixed it with water though to get more "colour" to work with. Wasn't the best piece in the exhibition in my opinion. I personally thought it was aimed a bit too much on shock factor. but I guess to make it look good and keep it from going bad... that's probably a difficult medium. also because first you got to organise enough of it. I'd probably not choose to paint with...it's probably not nice working with it either because of the smell. a lot of stuff that uses organic stuff is more difficult I guess...like Claire Morgan for example. she learned taxidermy just for her projects with roadkills. maybe also stuff like egg tempera that you have to mix for yourself...it's probably more likely to start moulding than paint made in factories with inorganic ingredients. though I really want to use honey-based water colours one day.

  • @JamesGurney

    @JamesGurney

    Жыл бұрын

    Watercolor is the easiest to begin with but the hardest to master.

  • @nunyabiznes33

    @nunyabiznes33

    Жыл бұрын

    @@mathilda6763 that sound disgusting

  • @DavidWoodArtist
    @DavidWoodArtist Жыл бұрын

    What a "Soup" Can of Worms you opened. 😋 Not sure about the having to be outrageous, it may detract from the importance of the art and also encourage more egotism which the art world and social media do not need.

  • @inkstickart
    @inkstickart Жыл бұрын

    At the end of the day you just have to turn your overthinking rain off a bit and paint with your gut😊!

  • @andy_warhola
    @andy_warhola Жыл бұрын

    Outrageous? Oh my...

  • @boooo6789
    @boooo6789 Жыл бұрын

    I simply cannot bring myself to call Warhols works art. But hey, whatever people enjoy!

  • @sujanithtottempudi2991
    @sujanithtottempudi2991 Жыл бұрын

    why use Acrylgouache, when acrylics are available? its almost same like gouache but dries permanently. is it the finish matte or gloss?

  • @JamesGurney

    @JamesGurney

    Жыл бұрын

    Acryla Gouache is acrylic. It is opaque and dries matte, but it has an acrylic binder-and all that goes with it.

  • @daggetthk3081
    @daggetthk3081 Жыл бұрын

    I'm favor of gatekeeping. Without It we don't have standarts or values. If you are an under dog or make "outside of the box" stuff go "Indie" or find/create your niche, no problem with that! And i'm hope you do a little bit of gatekeeping on your niche! Keep it's values alive!

  • @kaiserschmarrn_3687
    @kaiserschmarrn_3687 Жыл бұрын

    this monologue is only barely directed... i think novelty has utility, but i still sympathize with the gatekeepers. my dad says he likes unconventional art, but i can't quite take him at face value. the strongest emotion i feel from art is admiration for the artist: i see they've put an immense amount of time into making something pretty, and i want to be like them. usually i'm interested in representational paintings--it's easy to make something precise, but hard to make something precise and premeditated. we play games with rules so that competitors can strategize, practice and compare; deconstructing rules is novel, but i find the novelty wears off. i wont bother my dad about it, but i suspect he cares more about the optics of being above traditional art than the unconventional art itself.

  • @TediI47
    @TediI47 Жыл бұрын

    >George Grosz liked it though based

  • @ashleyfroud5015
    @ashleyfroud5015 Жыл бұрын

    Was that a CAT ?

  • @madillstudio
    @madillstudio Жыл бұрын

    Go see Andy's work for yourself. I was immersed in his giant retrospective years ago in NYC and it's clear when I was there that my interpretation of his art expanded greatly and it opened up my context of the art world in general. But Andy is one among many others. And I think his work in part asks us to seek them out in our time.

  • @AlisonLeighLilly
    @AlisonLeighLilly Жыл бұрын

    This video feels weirdly out-of-step with today's art world and "influencer" economy -- complaining about gatekeepers almost seems quaint, when we're being inundated daily by visual media promoted by mindless social media algorithms that favor the most outrageous and extremest content for purely economic reasons. "Gatekeepers" shouldn't be a naughty word! Art critics and commentators help cultivate and nurture public conversations about art and its meaning in the broader culture; gallery and museum curators help elevate artists who might not otherwise be recognized, bringing artists' works into conversation with one another in carefully crafted spaces. At their best, "gatekeepers" play a thoughtful curatorial role that actively contributes to the promotion of art in society. If you remove them from the equation, all you're left with are producers and consumers. Artists like Andy Warhol might thrive in such a world, but many, many other artists suffer as a result. When the art world has nothing left but Andy-Warhol-like outrage.... what are they even raging against, anymore, and to what end?

  • @Foxweed

    @Foxweed

    Жыл бұрын

    The algorithm IS the gatekeeper. By "favouring the most outrageous and extremist content", the algorithm is, in effect, suppressing everything else. To get through the gate, to "go viral", one must produce content that is outrageous and extremist. If anything is "quaint", it's the existence of galleries and museums. They definitely still have their role in society, and personally I love such spaces, but nowadays the VAST majority of art consumption happens online. The big naughty gatekeeper is not the museum curator, it's the social media algorithm.

  • @nicholash1278

    @nicholash1278

    Жыл бұрын

    so true. The idea that "gate keeping" is a bad thing is the worst concept to ever enter into human creative culture. Some art IS bad art. If no art can be considered bad, no art can be considered good, thus art is meaningless and I guess only popularity matters in that case which equals the true death of art

  • @dustsky
    @dustsky Жыл бұрын

    The gatekeepers were right!

  • @phillipstroll7385
    @phillipstroll73853 ай бұрын

    I don't know why. It's juvenile at best.

  • @melc311
    @melc311 Жыл бұрын

    in conclusion, gate keeping is good

  • @BardChords
    @BardChords Жыл бұрын

    I think it is most likely that artists like Warhol, and earlier modernists, will be lost (with some of their works probably intentionally destroyed). They did not represent an advancement in art. It is the work of a deep decline into a century of insanity, with world-ending weapons and global wars. People will remember the destruction, nihilism and selfishness of this period, and they will not look fondly on people like Warhol. Warhol was a horrible man who made a lot of people's lives worse, like JD Salinger or Ginsberg, and like those two, he was not a great artist or an inspired mind. "Cezanne? Picasso? Frauds! They have left the road to beauty. They have spoiled young minds. But it will all end in laughter. Those paintings will one day be in museums, like ancient instruments of torture, to show the depths to which art fell." - Fortunino Matania

  • @rudemooddudehamburg
    @rudemooddudehamburg Жыл бұрын

    For me Andy Warhol is super overrated as an Artist. Sorry.

  • @Siegfried5846

    @Siegfried5846

    Жыл бұрын

    He was not an artist. Just a greedy conman.

  • @VantablacSOL

    @VantablacSOL

    Жыл бұрын

    This is what kids who went to art school and got a regular job after say^

  • @Siegfried5846

    @Siegfried5846

    Жыл бұрын

    @8 bit synth He was just a pretentious, talentless hack, unwilling to do the work needed to master art.

  • @hagelslag9312

    @hagelslag9312

    Жыл бұрын

    That's fair but it's exactly what the conversation of 'what is art' is about. He might be overrated for many based on what he made. But it's often about the story and timing that could change history what matters more. You could say this about any other artist also in music and even content creators. It's timing and their influence.

  • @yemo34

    @yemo34

    Жыл бұрын

    @@VantablacSOL I learned about him in highschool and never needed to go to art school because I used his techniques to promote my art through controversy. It paid the bills too well lol. Meme magic wizard.

  • @kishascape
    @kishascape Жыл бұрын

    You’re a little old for these infantile Reddit buzzwords and nonexistent concepts.

  • @hagelslag9312

    @hagelslag9312

    Жыл бұрын

    Are you gatekeeping age to participating online?

  • @Nahnono

    @Nahnono

    Жыл бұрын

    You're a little too young to be on the internet.

  • @capuchinosofia4771

    @capuchinosofia4771

    Жыл бұрын

    Lmao, idk what you mean with buzzwordw and nonexistent concepts, as this video was a joy to listen to.

  • @nicholash1278

    @nicholash1278

    Жыл бұрын

    lol I think james gurney deserves some major criticism but not for reddit words