Andy Warhol was an American artist and filmmaker who is widely considered to be the central figure in the Pop art movement. Art History Archive: The Prince of Pop Art
Background
Andy Warhol moved to New York City in 1949 after graduating from the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now known as Carnegie Mellon University). In New York, he worked as a commercial illustrator for magazines such as Vogue and Harper's Bazzar. Some of his first paintings were of comic book characters including Dick Tracy and Superman. In 1963, he began directing films. Some of his most famous films are Sleep, Empire, Salvador DalĂ and Chelsea Girls . Warhol made about 600 films between 1963 and 1976. PBS: American Masters
In 1964, Warhol turned a loft on 231 East 47th Street in to his studio, this space became known as "The Factory". Some of Warhol's most recognizable works include his silk-screened pictures of celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Elvis Presley. He also created prints of popular American products like Campbell's Soup cans and Coca-Cola bottles.
Velvet Underground, Nico and Andy
In 1965, Warhol met the Velvet Underground, a band from New York City whose members included Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison and Maureen Tucker. German model Nico joined the group later. Warhol produced the band's debut album, The Velvet Underground and Nico, and designed the famous peelable banana album artwork.