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Andy Warhol
Endangered Species
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In 1983, Andy Warhol created a series of ten color screenprints that
portrayed endangered animals from around the world: Siberian tiger, San
Francisco silverspot, orangutan, Grevy's zebra, black rhinoceros,
bighorn ram, African elephant, pine barrens tree frog, giant panda and
bald eagle. Using brilliant colors -- characteristic of his signature
style -- and poignant expressions suggestive of the animal's fate,
Warhol creates a dynamic tension between art and reality.
The Endangered Species portfolio was commissioned by Ronald and
Frayda Feldman, long-time political and environmental activists who
support innovative art projects and installations through their art
gallery, Ronald Feldman Fine Art, New York. According to the Feldman's,
the idea for the portfolio emerged after conversations with Warhol about
ecological issues that included a discussion about beach erosion. Warhol
was always interested in animals and when Ronald Feldman proposed the
idea, the artist embraced it. Today, the loss of habitat and
biodiversity are still hot topics as the impact of development reaches
critical thresholds.
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