Andy Warhol
Elvis 1963
synthetic polymer paint screenprinted onto canvas
208.0 (h) x 91.0 (w) cm
© Andy Warhol, 1963/ARS. © Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. Licensed
by VISCOPY, Sydney 2002
From August 1962 Andy Warhol began to produce
pictures using screen printing, attracted by the repetitive nature, speed
and element of chance in this process. At the same time he developed a
series of images of American icons such as Elvis Presley and Elizabeth
Taylor. This full-length image of the singer was taken from a publicity
still for the 1960 film Flaming star. It was printed 28 times
in black paint onto a roll of silver-painted canvas in various combinations
— singly, superimposed doubly and triply, and in pairs. Here, Warhol
is subverting the cult of celebrity, making a witty statement about camp
and kitsch instead.