There are many phrases by Andy Warhol that, throughout his life and his career as an artist, have remained in history. This American creator, famous for being one of the fathers of Pop Art, wanted to project what worried the average citizen, to reflect the tastes of society and to promote criticism of the North American consumerist model.
Andy Warhol’s most famous phrases
His real name was Andrew Warhola, and he did not leave anyone indifferent. From a Slovak emigrant family who came to the United States of America fleeing the constant conflicts on European soil, This author grew up and studied by and for art specialized in plastic painting and decided to question the dominant paradigm through his works.
Below we will see some of Andy Warhol’s most notable phrases to understand how one of the leaders of modernist art thought.
1. In Europe people like to trade. Americans are not so interested in selling. What they really like is to buy
Andy Warhol was inspired by the rise of North American consumerism to develop his art.
2. You have to do things that ordinary people don’t understand because those are the only good things
If you want to surprise, you have to do something different.
3. I have decided to trade really smelly things. They would quickly become a hit in a massive market that sucks
Another demonstration of the consumption model that was expanding in the developed world, at the beginning of the welfare state.
4. Buying is much more American than thinking
A harsh criticism of American society.
5. I never wanted to be a painter; I wanted to be a tap dancer
Destiny can end up being what we did not expect.
6. Why do people think artists are special? It’s just another job
Andy always wanted to stay grounded despite his overwhelming success.
7. I don’t call myself a director, it’s the film that directs itself
Everything the author did, He did it with passion and naturalness
8. I have decided to make only conventional films with many plants
He always wanted to get out of the commercial trend.
9. I consider that any photograph taken by a camera is good
Andy Warhol did not specialize in his art. He was always looking for something different.
10. I think I read too many comics
As is often the case with many graphic artists, comics served as inspiration.
11. It is complex to reflect things as they are today and the way they really happen
Capturing reality with art is complex.
12. I think women are better than men
A good way to highlight the moral qualities of women, highly questioned in the mid-20th century.
13. The city is much better in summer
Like anywhere, summer is always a time of good feelings.
14. I don’t say bad words
Correctness in his treatment of others was something that characterized him on most occasions.
15. I was always more interested in the old “Factory”. There were better vibes there
Andy Warhol was inspired by the old school to create the modern.
One of Andy Warhol’s phrases that reflect his way of living leisure.
17. The world fascinates me
Warhol always observed and analyzed what was around him.
18. Inspiration is television
Telecommunications, and television in particular, were a revolutionary product in their time.
19. I don’t see anything wrong with being alone, it feels very good for me
Knowing how to be alone is loving yourself.
20. I hate museums because they make things look important that don’t really mean anything.
Very critical of a fairly homogeneous culture system worldwide.
21. I just ran out of ideas
Like every artist, inspiration fades over the years.
22. I just give them a reason for the magazine cover and then run away and hide again.
Surprising, attracting attention, was what Andy Warhol always pursued.
23. Most of my time is trying to wake up in the “morning.”
He was not a good early riser.
24. Working is what inspires me to continue
He was a very dedicated and accomplished person with his own cause.
25. I always wanted to make things look one way, I never thought it would end up becoming this
Sometimes things go just as we don’t plan.
26. I’m just trying to make people remember those people for who they really were.
Reaching the average citizen, ordinary people, was the ultimate goal of this artist.
27. I want people to remember what they worked for and loved.
Mass art was how this man’s project was defined.
28. I don’t want to make the world a self-destructive place, I just want to make it better
Criticism and satire are the best remedy to evolve.
29. I want people to buy my work, analyze it, study it, keep it, and then sell it.
More than commercial success, Andy Warhol sought social success.
30. I think everything should be recycled, even my art.
Already in his time he was an advanced man.
31. All my movies are comedy
He often tried to add a touch of humor to his works, although sometimes it did not seem like it.
32. We went out to buy some meat in California, I bought a camera and that’s how my movies started
Chance turned Andy Warhol into a great artist.
33. I don’t call myself a genius, things come to me without thinking about them.
Warhol always avoided the evils of fame.
34. As soon as you stop wanting something, you get it
Obsession denies desire.
35. The idea is not to live forever, it is to create something that will
His works still endure over time and are role models for future generations.
36. It’s not what you are that counts, it’s what you think you are
We have to be what we think we are.
37. Beauty is a sign of intelligence
Curious phrase that related two concepts so metaphysically different.
38. Communicating is a fairly simple art. What can be devilishly difficult is getting people to listen to you.
You can be a good artist and not be successful. You have to know how to reach people.
39. Making money is art and work is art and a good business is the best art
It is not easy to make money even if you are a good artist.
40. People should fall in love with their eyes closed
This phrase by Warhol referred to the fact that the physical image prevails over the emotional
41. I don’t want to be smart, because being smart makes you depressed.
Strong phrase from the artist.
42. Earth really is the best art
Andy Warhol was a defender of Mother Nature.
43. Everyone needs a fantasy
Life is too serious not to indulge in illusion.
44. If you’re not trying to be real, you don’t have to be real. That is art
Art defined him like something out of our daily lives like something fanciful.
45. Don’t pay attention to what they write about you. Just measure it in inches
A very subtle way to accommodate the opinions of others.
46. Commercial art is much better than art for art’s sake
He was an artist, but also a great businessman. He did what he sold.
47. I want to be a machine
Andy Warhol criticized the complexity of the rational human being many times.
48. I am a deeply superficial person
With this phrase he acknowledges that he was not a devotee of art either.
49. I think everyone should be nice to everyone.
Being good to the people around us will give us well-being.
50. I wonder if it is possible to have a love story that lasts forever
Another phrase that unearths the mysteries of love between two people
51. They always say that time changes things, but in fact you have to change them yourself.
Everything depends on us, not on circumstances.
52. An artist is someone who produces things that people don’t need to have.
This phrase reaffirms the idea of how commercial art can be.
53. I think it would be great if everyone was the same
Andy Warhol was so contradictory at times.
54. It doesn’t matter how slow you go as long as you don’t stop
You have to move forward, always.
55. I am afraid of feeling happy because it never lasts.
Are we more prepared to suffer than to enjoy?
- You may be interested: “Is there a recipe for happiness? Eduard Punset and Rojas Marcos respond”
56. The most exciting attractions are between two opposites that never meet.
The emotion is in the different of things, according to this phrase.
57. With my trembling hand I would have become a natural artist
Andy Warhol had some difficulties in his limbs.
58. In the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes
A more than accurate prediction. Social networks are a good example.
59. Pop art is for everyone
As if it were a political party, Andy did what people wanted to see.
60. Why do people spend their time being sad when they could be happy?
In this phrase emphasis is placed on the unhappiness of human beings.
61. Art is what you can get away with
Curious way to define art with this phrase.
62. I think everyone should like everyone
Love for others was an important point for Warhol.
63. I never think that people die. They only go to department stores
This phrase by Andy Warhol describes what his concept of life after death meant for the artist.
65. I want people to buy my work, analyze it, study it, keep it, and then sell it.
This is how particular the artist was when it came to explaining his motivations.
66. I think everything should be recycled, even my art
Nothing lasts nor should it last forever.
67. All my movies are comedy
He briefly dedicated himself to the world of cinema.
68. We went out to buy some meat in California, I bought a camera and that’s how my movies started
Curious phrase to explain his beginnings in the world of entertainment.
69. I had a lot of appointments but I decided to stay home and dye my eyebrows.
His social habits were truly groundbreaking for his time.
70. I love Los Angeles, and I love Hollywood. They are beautiful. Everyone is plastic, but I love plastic. I want to be plastic.
His personal convictions about the society of his time were very striking.
Although he may seem like a frivolous artist, Warhol left us truly profound reflections on society and life.
72. Don’t pay attention to what they write about you. It only measures in inches.
Warhol was obsessed with fame.
73. During the 1960s, I think, people forgot what emotions were supposed to be. And I don’t think they ever remembered it.
A criticism that can be extended to today’s society.
74. Courreges’ clothes are very pretty.
Fashion was undoubtedly one of the most important elements for this great artist.
75. I’m afraid that if you look at a thing long enough, it loses all its meaning.
Warhol believed in the ephemeral value of things, even art.
76. Checks are not money.
Warhol made great observations about the social functioning of his time.
77. If you want to know everything about Andy Warhol, just look at the surface of me and my paintings and films, and there I am. There is nothing behind it.
Although he was one of the most important artists of his time, Warhol was very humble.
78. I want to die with my blue jeans on.
Although he provided frivolous reflections at times, this great artist reflected profusely on life and death.
79. I like boring things.
This artist had truly revolutionary ideas.
80. If you’re not trying to be real, you don’t have to do it right. That is art.
The value was in authenticity, according to this great artist.