ANDY WARHOL

I have no more than a passing interest in Warhol and his art factory and this is purely down to his connection with the Velvet Underground, Lou Reed and David Bowie. I love reading biographies so I thought I’d give this a go and learn a little bit more about the man behind the art etc. In that respect this book doesn’t deliver, what you get instead is a load of arty waffle and opinionated tripe. I obviously lack the required intelligence to understand this book but having said that I’m not stupid enough to pretend that I do.Disappointing.

I found this biography to be well written and well researched.One gripe I did have with the book,was that it concentrated to a large extent on his creative life,perhaps not unreasonably considering the artist's inarticulate nature and secrecy. He kept his own life and emotions away from his public,and his associates(His "superstars")and this mystique still persists. However,saying that,it is apparent from reading this book that Andy was not the passive automaton he often presented himself as.There is still a fair amount of material in the book,that shows a man in many ways ill at ease with himself.But it also reveals his intelligence and wit,and fundamental humanity,under that prematurely grey wig. Good analyses of his films,art work and books are also presented,though once or twice in reading,I found myself skipping certain over- intricate parts. Also relatively well recorded are the portraits of his "employees"and hangers on at the factory,and this book is not full of the usual claims that he was responsible for many of his superstars extreme behaviour patterns,and untimely deaths.At the same time it is not an unconfessed apology for his immersion in the bizarre world he found some identity in,and does not make him out to have discouraged such behaviours.In fact,considering the time and location,they do not seem so strange. In summary,this book gives a fine portrait of one of the 20th centuries most influential movers and shakers;as artist,director,writer and over all,his often hidden human nature.

Not a bad read: but book lacked depth.

Wayne writes Andy, nothing Andy can do about it. Pretty darn gripping, as biographies go.

great book