ANDY WARHOL:
RESEARCH, EARLY DRAWINGS
2019 - PRESENT
Westwood Gallery rediscovered a rare collection of 49 drawings by Andy Warhol, 1955-67, an archive of free form expressions of Warhol’s love of dance, with drawings of ballerinas and fully costumed performers. The drawings also depict images of a fun sprite character as he conducts music, or pushes a shopping cart. Other drawing themes highlight travel or fantasy, figures dancing and circus performers. Whether simple line drawing or elaborate images of a dancer with half-dark and half-light costume, each drawing represents a Warhol narrative.
The incredible collection derived from one person in the world of Dance, who Warhol admired and gifted all 49 drawings over a period of years. The drawing gifts were also meant to promote his illustrative skill for the purpose of potential inclusion in publishing and/or dance projects.
Westwood Gallery exhibited the 49 Warhol drawings in the gallery, Andy Warhol: Drawn to Dance (2016), and at The National Arts Club, Andy Warhol: Imaginary Friends (2012). Thereafter the drawings were acquired, and Westwood worked with a conservationist to ensure the longevity of the drawings with current planning for a future global traveling exhibition.
Westwood Gallery will publish a hardcover book with the 49 drawings, available to the public in 2022.
