Naples' von Liebig hosts Warhol portfolios

COURTESY THE ANDY WARHOL FOUNDATION FOR THE VISUAL ARTS/ARS, NY Andy Warhol, Marilyn Monroe, 1967. A new Andy Warhol exhibition makes its Florida debut at The von Liebig Art Center in downtown Naples this week.

"Andy Warhol Portfolios: Life & Legends" presents works spanning Mr. Warhol's career from the 1950s through 1986 and features key works from landmark series such as Endangered Species, Flowers, Jews of the Twentieth Century, Myths, Muhammad Ali and Space Fruits. The exhibition also includes two of Mr. Warhol's most famous pieces: a portrait of Marilyn Monroe and "Campbell's Soup I (Cream of Mushroom)."

Part of the Bank of America Art Exhibition Program, which enables museums to borrow complete or customized exhibitions from the bank's corporate collection, the show opens at The von Liebig with a reception Friday evening, March 13, and will hang through May 3.

Bank of America developed its art exhibition program with two main themes in mind: community and access, according to Lillian Lambrechts, senior vice president and manager of the program.

COURTESY THE ANDY WARHOL FOUNDATION FOR THE VISUAL ARTS/ARS, NY Andy Warhol, Campbell's Soup I (Cream of Mushroom), 1968. "What better representation of accessible art than an Andy Warhol exhibition, whose works are some of the most recognizable in the world," said Ms. Lambrechts, who curated the exhibition. "Warhol became the art itself in many ways," she said. "We look forward to helping a new generation of viewers connect with him by making his work accessible to the Naples community."

Mr. Warhol's art is unique in the way anyone can enjoy and connect with it, regardless of their art knowledge. "As an illustrator, he knew how to create an image connecting directly to the viewer and life on Main Street," Ms. Lambrechts said.

Using mass-production techniques to create his works, Mr. Warhol erased the distinctions between fine and pop art. From household objects to Hollywood starlets, his subjects captured the essence of American culture. He challenged traditional boundaries of the practice of art, blurring the lines between art, business and life. He turned everyday life into art and art into a way to live the everyday — collecting, documenting, reproducing, experimenting and collaborating with the people, places and things around him.

COURTESY THE ANDY WARHOL FOUNDATION FOR THE VISUAL ARTS/ARS, NY Andy Warhol, Muhammad Ali, 1978. For example, his Flowers series infused the tradition of floral still-life painting with artificial, acidcolored abstractions of the natural world. Critic David Bourdon has written that the Flowers appear to float right off the canvas, "like cut-out gouaches by Matisse set adrift on Monet's lily pond." His Ten Portraits of Jews of the Twentieth Century series ranges from Gertrude Stein and George Gershwin to the relatively obscure Louis Brandeis and Martin Buber.

The Campbell's Soup Can image in the exhibition is just one of 32 Mr. Warhol created and may be the most recognizable work in the show.

"We elected to present Andy Warhol's work because he is one of the most famous American artists of the 20th century," said Jack O'Brien, curator at The von Liebig Art Center. "He explored so many issues in American life, such as the role of fame and consumerism. His screen prints… were created in the New York studio he called 'the Factory.' His ideas and designs were given to studio assistants, who made the editions. Warhol's work plays on the idea of mass production. His prints were turned out like consumer goods on an assembly line."

The prints in the Bank of America exhibition demonstrate many aspects of Mr. Warhol's art, including his brilliance as a colorist. He transformed photographic imagery through color, design, form, and multiples. Because of the infinite possibilities of printmaking, his portfolios contain a vast array of techniques, from collage and drawing to the use of diamond dust.

Art dealer Alan Brown, who worked at galleries beginning in the 1960s and owned his own gallery in Westchester County, N.Y., met Mr. Warhol on several occasions and collects early works by the artist.

"I started following his work in the 1960s when he was doing his films and was out and about in New York City," Mr. Brown said, adding, "He was always viewed as an important artist by major critics, museums and art historians."

Mr. Brown will present a lecture about Mr. Warhol and the portfolios exhibition from 10-11 a.m. Friday, March 13, at The von Liebig. The lecture is $20 for Naples Art Association members and $25 for the general public, and includes refreshments and the first view of the exhibition. Reservations are encouraged but not required by calling 239-262-6517, ext. 102.

A preview reception for "Andy Warhol Portfolios: Life & Legends," as well as the Naples Art Association Student Exhibition and the Members' Gallery exhibition, will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, March 13. The catered opening reception is free for Naples Art Association members and $10 for non-members.

Complimentary docent tours of the exhibition will be available at 11 a.m. on Saturdays, March 14, 21 and 28, and April 4, 18 and 25.

Exhibition sponsors are Quarles and Brady, The Naples Daily News, Comcast, Sunny 106 and WAVV 101.1.

The von Liebig Art Center at 585 Park St. is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. The suggested donation is $5 for adults and $2 for children 10 and older. For more information, call (239) 262-6517.

If you go

>>Where: The von Liebig Art Center, 585 Park St., Naples >>When: March 13-May 3 >>Alan Brown lecture and exhibit tour: 10-11 a.m. Friday, March 13; $20 for Naples Art Association members, $25 for others

>>Preview reception: 5:30-7:30 Friday March 13; free for NAA members, $10 for others

>>Regular gallery hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 1-4 p.m. Sunday; suggested donation $5 for adults, $2 for children 10 and older

>>Complimentary docent tours: 11 a.m. Saturdays, March 14, 21 and 28 and April 4, 18 and 25 >>Info: (239) 262-6517 or www.naplesart.org