584 - Andy Warhol (1928 Pittsburgh – New York 1987)

Andy Warhol (1928 Pittsburgh – New York 1987) Kiku Color silkscreen on a collage of colored paper. (Circa 1983). Approx. 64 x 87 cm. Unique color combination. On the reverse, stamps from the Estate of Andy Warhol and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, as well as the handwritten archive number “37.013.” See Feldman/Schellmann II, 307. • Vibrant colors and striking contours make the “Kiku” silkscreen prints particularly sought-after works • Unique in this color combination • A fascinating fusion of East Asian visual tradition and Western pop culture Andy Warhol’s “Kiku” silkscreen series, created in the early 1980s, represents a synthesis of Western Pop Art and East Asian visual tradition. Commissioned by Fujio Watanuki for the Gendai Hanga Center in Tokyo, the portfolio features stylized chrysanthemums as an imperial symbol of nature. The “Kiku” series is among Warhol’s late floral studies. In contrast to earlier works, which relied heavily on photographs, these vibrantly colored silkscreen prints are rooted in cultural exchange and a global understanding of culture. The chrysanthemum is closely linked to Japanese national identity. These one-of-a-kind works also underscore Warhol’s enduring interest in color overlays and clean design during the final years of his career. Today, “Kiku” is regarded as an outstanding example of Warhol’s epoch-making visual language: “Kiku” combines decorative aesthetics with bold design and confirms Warhol’s enduring influence on contemporary printmaking. Provenance: Formerly from the artist’s estate (The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts). Taxation: subject to regular taxation (VAT: Regular Taxation).