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 Before They Were Famous
| Portrait of Andy Warhol posing in front of "Birmingham" Race Riot, The Factory, New York City, 1964. |
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Before They Were Famous: Behind The Lens of William John Kennedy
by Jill Lynne
As someone who photographed Andy Warhol and the Factory scene in the 1970s and 1980s, I was curious to see how another photographer, a generation earlier – namely William John Kennedy – had “pictured” the same burgeoning group.
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| Andy Warhol in a field of black-eyed Susans with Taylor Mead holding an early "Flowers" canvas as a backdrop in Queens, New York, 1964. |
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The story goes, that as Kennedy and his wife were preparing to move to Miami, they discovered a long-ago closeted box of old negatives and prints from the 1960s, labeled “Warhol."
During the ‘60s it seems Kennedy, who was living in a cheap pre-trendiness Chelsea loft (with good light), was befriended by the Warhol clan and its rising Art-Stars. For several years he became privy to that secret world. And voila!
The Exhibition, “Before They Were Famous,” presents this documentation. The interest is mostly historical. Featuring Kennedy’s B&W and color photographs – candids and posed – as well as a selection of art from other period creators, it returns one to a seemingly more innocent and light-hearted environment.
Of note was a mirrored piece by the fascinating Ultraviolet – who continues to produce thought-provoking art.
Kennedy studied at Pratt and The School of Visual Arts in the 1950s, and accordingly, this early work represents a beginner’s aesthetic. He soon left this aesthetic genre for the more lucrative career of a successful commercial photographer.
Under the aegis of the wonderful creative director Louis Canales, the Exhibit has now traveled on to additional national locations. |
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| Andy Warhol with "Self Portrait" mounted on homemade sandwich board on fire escape at the Factory, 1964. |
Andy Warhol holding an unrolled acetate of "Marilyn" in the Factory, 1964. |
| Robert Indiana holding "Love" at his Coenties Slip studio, 1964. |
Andy Warhol , Mario Amaya, and Robert Indiana at an early exhibition in New York City, 1963. |
| Robert Indiana at one of his early exhibitions with his "X5" (1963) in the background. |
| Claes Oldenburg and Robert Indiana in New York City, 1963. |
| Robert Indiana and Dorothy Miller in New York City, 1963. |
| Roy Lichtenstein and Robert Indiana in New York City, 1963. |
However New Yorkers will have another opportunity: "Before They Were Famous” is scheduled to be part of Art Hamptons, July 13-15th 2012.
When the exhibit was recently installed on the Lower East Side in NYC I trekked down to view it. Having recently received many Invitations to Galleries and Boutiques located in this area, (where I generally never am,) I decided to walk Rivington Street. I was delightfully surprised to find – especially West of Bowery – a thriving community with every storefront occupied by an up-and-coming designer, a new restaurant, as well as established eateries and talent. This might become a destination! |
| Photographer William John Kennedy, of "Before They Were Famous." |
Creative Director Louis Canales. |
| The wonderful French-born artist Ultra Violet, a popular member of The Factory Scene, here with her Mirror Art. |
| Taylor Mead and Ultra Violet Discuss The Factory and more on a Panel at Rivington Street Gallery. |
| Eric Shiner, Director Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh, with Publisher Michael E. Huber, Kiwi Arts Group. |
Elin Lake, Director of O'Toole-Ewald Art Associates, Inc. |
| The William John Kennedy Limited Edition Collection, as well as additional information, is available from www.KiwiArtsGroup.com. |
All Vintage Photographs (c) William John, 1960s
All Additional Photographs (c) Jill Lynne, May 2012 |
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