When it comes to art, there are a handful of household names whose work still elicits a thrill when it gets displayed in a new exhibition. Artists like Leonardo Da Vinci, Vincent Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, Mark Rothko, and many more inspire impassioned crowds flocking to exhibition after exhibition. Another name from the art world who inspires such fervour is Andy Warhol – and it’s good news for Warhol fans because a free new Andy Warhol exhibition has just opened in London’s Halcyon Gallery, featuring rare and unseen works – Andy Warhol: Beyond The Brand.
It’s hard to think of an artist whose impact and effect on not just the art world, but the entire world in general, has been quite as pervasive and all-encompassing as Andy Warhol. From his ‘pop art’ creations to his work with other now-legendary artists (such as Basquiat), to everything that came out of The Factory as well as the musical groups he played a role in (*ahem* The Velvet Underground). It’s arguable that vast swathes of the world as we know it wouldn’t exist as they do today without his impact – from reality television to advertising and beyond.
Following huge interest from the public, the Halcyon Gallery has even extended the exhibition’s stay in our capital! While it was originally slated to finish next month, the exhibition will now be on display until April 7.
Works in the Andy Warhol exhibition
Ranging from some of his earliest pieces all the way through his life to some of his final artworks, the exhibition provides a fairly comprehensive look at the artist’s output. And yes, the iconic Campbell’s soup cans are on display, as are his iconic portraits of the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Muhammad Ali, and more.
The Andy Warhol exhibition includes lesser-seen, and even unseen works, alongside iconic pieces. For example, the Halcyon Gallery is displaying his Ads paintings for the very first time. These pieces saw Warhol offering his unique take on famous advertisements from Apple, Chanel No. 5, and more.
Elsewhere visitors can also see Warhol’s lesser-known Endangered Species collection. There’s even a rarely-seen Pelé portrait, which was originally presented to the football legend by Warhol himself.
But apparently, it’s not enough to just have a mix of iconic pieces, intriguing lesser-known works, and never-before-seen artworks. The exhibition also features an immersive space that pays tribute to Warhol’s impact. The space itself stands out from the rest of the exhibition with a unique Keith Haring-meets-Jean Michel-Basquiat influence. And inside visitors can find Keith Haring’s Andy Mouse pieces, which portray Warhol as Mickey Mouse in various surprising circumstances.
And the best part? The exhibition is absolutely FREE to view!
To see all of the artworks, you’ll need to hit up two separate galleries. There are so many pieces to display that the Halcyon Gallery has had to split them up between two locations. Fortunately, they’re only a short walk apart, with both situated on Mayfair’s New Bond Street.
Andy Warhol: Beyond The Brand is now showing at 29 New Bond Street and 148 New Bond Street. The nearest station is Bond Street. The Andy Warhol exhibition will be on display until April 7.