MK Gallery celebrates 25th anniversary with stunning exhibition.
Almost 25 years since the Andy Warhol: Cars series was shown in 2001, MK Gallery is set to exhibit the seminal pop artist’s work once again in Milton Keynes.
The city’s gallery, which is celebrating its own 25-year anniversary, will show Andy Warhol: Portrait of America, from this weekend for three months.
The Artist Rooms partnership exhibition, with Tate and National Galleries of Scotland, opens on Saturday, 15th March, and is a survey of more than 130 of Warhol’s most iconic artworks, including the renowned Marilyn series and two paintings of British art duo Gilbert & George, who were the focus of MK Gallery's inaugural exhibition in 1999.
Andy Warhol was a leading figure in American Pop art. This exhibition of works from the 1950s to 1980s includes early drawings, painted silkscreens and photographic series featuring Warhol’s collaborations with artists, friends, filmmakers and celebrities.
Images of Marilyn Monroe, Liz Taylor, and Warhol himself, feature alongside icons of American consumerism as well as symbols of the artists fascination with mortality: guns, skulls and war.
Warhol’s fascination with celebrity and commercial culture produced some of the most recognisable images in 20th century art. Finding success living and working in 1950s New York as an illustrator for magazines, Warhol developed styles and techniques which propelled him to the centre of America’s cultural scene. He died in 1987.
“So many people have heard of Andy Warhol, but they don’t know why they have,” said Anthony Spira, Director, MK Gallery. “We’re really excited to have this exhibition in Milton Keynes, 25 years after he was first exhibited here.
“MK Gallery works with partners locally, nationally and internationally to bring the best cultural activities into the region. Alongside our exhibitions, we offer workshops, talks and conferences, mixing emerging and locally based talent with established names.
“MK Gallery works with partners locally, nationally and internationally to bring the best cultural activities into the region.”
The Gallery is part of the Arts Council’s National Portfolio and a member of the Plus Tate network. More details: https://mkgallery.org/.
