Andy Warhol's 'Ladies and Gentlemen' Drag Queen Series
In 1975, renowned artist Andy Warhol produced the 'Ladies and Gentlemen' series, known as the Drag Queen Paintings. The initiative was inspired by Bob Colacello, who introduced Warhol to drag queens and transgender women from New York City's The Gilded Grape club. The series was commissioned by Anselmino, an art student of Alexander Iolas, a collaborator with Warhol. Warhol employed Polaroid photographs and silkscreen printing techniques to creatively portray his subjects, who remain unnamed. This groundbreaking work was first exhibited in Ferrara, Italy, and was critiqued by filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini, who penned a monograph just before his tragic death.
Key facts
- The series was created in 1975.
- Models were recruited from The Gilded Grape club in New York City.
- Bob Colacello, future Interview magazine editor, recruited the models.
- The commission came from Anselmino, a protégé of Alexander Iolas.
- Warhol used Polaroid photos and silkscreen on canvas with synthetic polymer paints.
- The subjects were anonymous, unlike Warhol's later celebrity portraits.
- The series first exhibited in Ferrara, Italy.
- Pier Paolo Pasolini reviewed the series and wrote a monograph in 1998.
- Pasolini was murdered one month after writing the review.
- Warhol discussed gender in his 1975 book 'The Philosophy of Andy Warhol.'
Entities
Artists
- Andy Warhol
- Pier Paolo Pasolini
- Bob Colacello
- Alexander Iolas
- Anselmino
Institutions
- The Gilded Grape
- Interview magazine
Locations
- New York City
- Eighth Avenue
- West 45th Street
- Turin
- Italy
- Ferrara