WARHOL AT THE WALKER

16 Jackies,

Andy Warhol, 1964

Acrylic, Enamel on Canvas

Andy Warhol is arguably one of the most influential artists in American history. 16 Jackie’s which became part of the Walker Art Center’s permanent collection in 1968, is probably my favorite of his works. If you were alive at any point in the last five decades, then this piece is probably self-explanatory, and if the visuals don’t clarify, the title will. The top row shows an ecstatic Jackie Kennedy stepping off the airplane; the second row depicts a shocked Jackie as Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn in to office after the assassination of John F Kennedy; the third row shows Jackie at Her husband funeral, and the final row: a smiling Jackie in a limousine right before the shooting. I am drawn to this piece in particular because unlike Warhol’s infamous Campbell’s soup cans and Marilyn Monroe portraits (which are pleasant and emotionally unattached) this piece tells a story that hits you in the gut, every time. Jackie Kennedy was a pop icon even before her husbands murder, her life was in the public eye more then most political figures, which is why Warhol chose her as a subject. People mourned the death of their president, as well as for his beautiful, young, widowed wife. Warhol tapped into the vulnerability of his grieving country and created a very somber and emotional piece of work, appropriate primarily for it’s own generation. Aside from Warhol’s obsession with popular culture, he was also very invested in violence and death, especially within the media. Public tragedies play a huge role in much of his work; the effectiveness of this is present particularly in 16 Jackie’s. The repetition of a single image multiple times is inherently Warhol. In my opinion it is beneficial to this work; repetition forces realization. By seeing this image over and over, it becomes ingrained in your memory. However it’s not just the images, it’s the story that the images tell. The use of a strict color palette (blue, black, and white) amplifies the ominous nature this piece. I think psychologically the use of blue alone is depressing. Many of his other works use numerous bright colors to create a positive mood. The dismal quality of the black and blue add to the anguish and desperation of this piece. Although I was not alive when John F. Kennedy was assassinated, it is still recent history, meaning that this piece is still relevant to society. More so, it is informative to the modern viewer, these images are no longer seen in magazines or on the news. Warhol’s 16 Jackie’s, although unintentionally, has become an important documentation of history, as well as an artwork.

http://www.artknowledgenews.com/node/1194

http://collections.walkerart.org/item/object/422