PITTSBURGH, PA.- The Andy Warhol Museum and KIWI Arts Group announce that a selection of 100 signed and numbered photographs from the William John Kennedy archives will become part of the museum’s permanent collection. In addition, two unpublished images from Kennedy’s Warhol Flowers and Warhol Self-Portrait series have been released to The Warhol as a limited edition to benefit the museum. The collection of rare photographs, which captures Andy Warhol in 1963‐64 during the pivotal moment in his career, adds significant historical dimension to the museum’s holdings.
“The Andy Warhol Museum is honored to receive this rare and highly significant collection of photographs,” said Eric C. Shiner, museum director. “Not only do they provide imaginative insight into Warhol’s persona, they are a testament to Mr. Kennedy’s superb talent. The further addition of unpublished images dedicated to the Museum’s fundraising efforts is undoubtedly a generous gesture by Mr. Kennedy and KIWI Arts Group.”
As history has revealed, Kennedy’s extraordinary ability to foresee the impact that Warhol would have on the art world is what makes his photography most poignant. The images, which remained in storage for nearly 50 years, provide a unique perspective of Warhol and his most iconic works, including Marilyn (Marilyn Monroe), Flowers, The American Man (Portrait of Watson Powell), SelfPortrait and Birmingham Race Riot.
“Upon discovering the negatives, we recognized the historical significance of the work,” stated Michael Huter, KIWI Arts Group publisher. “We‘re delighted that The Warhol shares our vision for the William John Kennedy archive becoming part of its permanent collection. It’s a wonderful opportunity to provide a portion of this $25M collection—currently being sold on the international art market—to help raise funds to support the museum’s efforts and to expose a different side of Warhol to a broader audience.”
The curated exhibition, Before They Were Famous: Behind the Lens of William John Kennedy, is currently on view in New York and Indianapolis through the end of May 2012.
