Warholmainia: A look inside the early life of Andy Warhol and the New York pop arts scene

Two men are known as the most important archivists of Andy Warhol’s early career in New York.

Their negatives were almost lost. But now, their legacy has been revived in an intimate exhibition in a one-bedroom flat in the Strand.

WarholMania in Savoy House, features the groundbreaking artworks, the infamous Silver Factory, and Warhol’s eclectic entourage, offering a unique glimpse into the vibrant 1960s New York Pop Art scene.

It is the first time the photographs of Billy Name and William John Kennedy have been shown together, though they photographed Warhol at the Factory between 1964 and 1970. 

Mr Name was working as a waiter at Serendipity 3 when he first encountered Warhol. Warhol later went to a party at Mr Name’s apartment on the Lower East Side, and was impressed by his floor to ceiling silver decor.

On January 28, 1964, Warhol’s datebook noted, “New Studio 231 East 47th.” This narrow loft on the fourth floor of an industrial building in midtown Manhattan was transformed by Mr Name into The Silver Factory—a central hub of 1960s avant-garde culture.

Warhol enlisted Mr Name to decorate the new loft. For six months in 1964, Mr Name lived in a tiny closet at the Factory, undertaking the legendary ‘silverizing’ project, covering every inch in silver foil or silver spray paint. 

Upon completion, Warhol gifted him a Pentax Honeywell 35mm camera, appointing him as the resident photographer and archivist. 

The photographs taken document the Factory’s daily life from 1964 onwards, including artwork creation, filming of Screen Tests, and features like Chelsea Girls, Vinyl, and My Hustler. 

His images also capture Factory regulars, including Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground, Nico, Edie Sedgwick, and Bob Dylan.

Mr Name left the Factory in 1970, abandoning most of his possessions, including the negatives. 

After Warhol’s passing in 1987, the Warhol Foundation reached out to Mr Name, who went on to produce a stunning series of silkscreens.

Elsewhere amongst the plush carpets and looming silver balloons of the exhibition is Mr Kennedy’s ‘Lost Archive’ from 1964.

His photographs of Warhol lay forgotten in a cupboard for 50 years, nearly discarded. 

Shot in the early 1960s, these images emerged from the close friendship between fine art photographer Mr Kennedy and Warhol. 

Mr Kennedy’s photographs present Warhol in a candid and intimate light, providing a unique perspective on the artist’s early career.

According to Patrick Moore, former director of the Andy WarholMuseum: “The great power of Kennedy’s portraits of Warhol is to bring him alive as both an artist and a man.” 

This collection offers a rare glimpse into the world of one of the 20th century’s most influential artists, but despite its intimate nature, not much is given away.

Whilst a more sensitive side to Warhol is revealed through this collection of images, his character and that of the photographers remain shrouded in mystery, from the bedroom to the kitchen sink. 

Warholmainia at Savoy House, 190 The Strand, will run until November 12.

To find out more visit: https://www.warholkennedyresidence.com/

Pictured top: Warhol holds a print in his New York studio (Picture: William John Kennedy)