Andy Warhol’s Mother: The Woman Behind the Artist
by Elaine Rusinko
A recently released biography of Julia Warhola delves into the life of the woman who was a major influence on her son, Andy.
Andy Warhol’s Mother: The Woman Behind the Artist was written by Elaine Rusinko, associate professor emerita of Russian language and literature at the University of Maryland. Rusinko shares a Carpatho-Rusyn heritage with Julia Warhola, and traced her journey from the small village in Austria-Hungary to Pittsburgh and then to New York, where she lived with her son for nearly twenty years.
Warhola was a fine artist and calligrapher and her handwriting appears in some of Warhol’s books. She was the recipient of awards for her lettering, including one from the American Institute of Graphic Arts. She was a Byzantine Catholic and her faith profoundly influenced Warhol, who often painted religious themes.
Much of the information in the book comes from previously unpublished material, including Rusyn-language correspondence and videos.
Rusinko explores the impact that Julia Warhola had on her son, as a mentor and supportive figure, in so many aspects of his life.
The U.S. Postal Service has just released a sneak peek of the stamps that will be available in 2025.
Among the new releases will be a stamp of American television idol Betty White (1922–2021), one of New Orleans musician Allen Toussaint (1938–2015), a series of stamps showing areas of The Appalachian Trail and a Forever Love Stamp depicting iconic Keith Haring (1958–1990) heart and figures symbols.
The Keith Haring stamp is particularly meaningful; Haring created many of his works as gifts to hospitals, day care centers and schools.
Haring’s works are currently on view in solo exhibits at The Stanley Museum of Art in Iowa City, the Nakamura Kieth Haring Collection in Japan and Galerie 75 in Faubourg, Paris. They are also part of group exhibitions at the Whitney, the Museum Brandhorst in Munich and the Museum of the City of New York.
The works of Orville Bulman (1904-1978) have become increasingly sought after. A mostly self-taught artist, born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Bulman responsibly ran his family’s business until, as an adult, he was able to focus on his painting.
He moved to Palm Beach and traveled to Haiti, where the people, architecture, flora and fauna became an inspiration and the subjects of his paintings.
Please contact us if you would like more information about the work of Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Orville Bulman available at Surovek Gallery.
References:
Elaine Rusinko. Andy Warhol’s Mother: The Woman Behind the Artist. University of Pittsburgh Press. 2024.
Lakshmi Rivera Amin. Andy Warhol’s Mother: The Woman Behind the Artist by Elaine Rusinko. Hyperallergic. November 12, 2024.
USPS News. U.S. Postal Service Provides Sneak Peek at 2025 Stamps. November 15, 2024.
