Be The Trendsetter
By Renda Writer
Us Artists Magazine is committed to consistently exposing the best local up-and-coming talent to our readers. We take pride in using every issue to give the stars of tomorrow from all genres of art an extra push for exposure. Now, with our fifth release, we are still committed to that vision, but we would also like to begin introducing you to those who have in a sense, "already made it." One such person is William John Kennedy, internationally renowned advertising and fine art photographer.
Having photographed assignments throughout the world, from the glaciers in Alaska to the hot sands of the Sahara Desert, William John Kennedy has lived a full life, and is often credited with having a "Golden Eye" for framing beautiful photographs of various subjects. Kennedy's most noteworthy subject to date is Andy Warhol, the iconic painter & film-maker who gained immense fame as the main figure behind the Pop Art movement of the late 1950s. Kennedy photographed Warhol on several occasions throughout 1964 both at the famed painter's studio, "The Factory," and other locations throughout New York.
Since passing away in 1987, Andy Warhol has managed to stay fresh in the minds of both art appreciators and the general population. Chances are you've seen one of his colorful renditions of Marilyn Monroe or a can of Campbell's Soup on a calendar, poster, or greeting card. And the world is about to experience a second dose of the Andy Warhol phenomenon due to two upcoming events that will most certainly elicit more attention. One is the Ric Burns produced 2-part documentary about Warhol that will be part of the American Masters series and will air on September 27th & 28th @ 9pm on PBS. The other is the upcoming release of the movie, "Factory Girl," which will tell the story of Andy's muse, Edie Sedgwick, and will feature Hollywood heavyweights like Jimmy Fallon (SNL) and Mena Suvari (American Beauty). The movie is in post-production and is slated for a Fall 2006 release.
You can count on America catching "Warhol Fever" this Fall, but before the trend fully sets in, and everybody and their mother has a print of a Warhol painting in their house, you can start your own trend. Be the trendsetter. Don't go out and buy just another Warhol piece. Instead, buy a unique and rare picture of Andy Warhol with one of his paintings from William John Kennedy's definitive collection. How about a photo of Andy holding up an acetate proof of a Marilyn Monroe silk-screen or a shot of Andy standing on a fire escape wearing a silk-screened self-portrait like a sandwich board? Kennedy even has a stunningly colorful shot that he took of Andy standing in a field of flowers with his own silk-screened canvases of flowers propped up behind him.
Be the trendsetter. This Fall, when all the chatter amongst circles of art enthusiasts centers around Andy Warhol, you will be the one to bring up the name William John Kennedy, the transplanted Miami resident whose 1964 photos of the Pop Art icon are for sale at www.williamjohnkennedy.com.
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*Published in the August/September issue of US Artists Magazine.