We've been visiting the Andy Warhol Museum while we're here in Pittsburgh and I'll be reporting more on that later.
But meanwhile, a Facebook friend has suggested that if Warhol were alive he'd be a good choice to paint the official portrait of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
Well, Warhol was a native of Pittsburgh and later a New Yorker so I suspect Governor Christie would want a New Jersey artist to paint his portrait.
But, putting that aside for a moment, it's almost a shame that Andy isn't around to paint the Governor.
In fact, the two might not make as unlikely a pair as you might think.
To begin with, Warhol was an entrepreneur and a hugely successful businessman. In that sense, he was a true capitalist. Christie would like that.
And he was also very patriotic -- thoroughly American.
Warhol's life and his work was centered here in America and he was consumed with the history, the culture and the persona of his native land.
In fact, Warhol said "I think of myself as an AMERICAN artist. I like it here. I think it's so great. It's fantastic." He noted that if he had painted in Europe he would have been an entirely different artist.
He was a product of America -- and proud of it. That's a view that Christie shares.
Yes, Warhol was largely apolitical. Still, I think Warhol would have liked Christie because Warhol was attracted to big personalities.
Christie is unquestionably a vivid personality and the Governor does, in his own way possess star quality.
Likewise, I think Christie would have liked having his image rendered by Warhol. Christie is quite confident in himself and comfortable with his own unconventionality.
He IS a new kind of Governor and he knows it. So, he should not necessarily be depicted via a "conventional" official painting.
Considered all that, it's a shame Andy's not around to take on the challenge of capturing one of the most fascinating new leaders in America.
Is there an innovative artist somewhere in Jersey who's up to the task?
No comments:
Post a Comment