Andy Warhol/ Ana Mendieta

Throughout this semester, as a class, we were able to discover and dissect art pieces and learn about the lives of the people who created them. More specifically, we were able to explore the deeper meanings and notions of two iconic artists, Andy Warhol and Ana Mendieta. A pair that brings two fairly different spectrums of individuality. Yet, also share prevalent themes in their work. Those themes surrounding statement, individuality, self-identity, and provoking societal ideals and norms.  

From what I learned from each artist was that they both were heavily influenced by their personal experiences or lack thereof. Ana Mendieta was a Cuban born woman stripped away from her parents at a young age. The experience of moving to America left Mendieta with questions about her identity, the “role” of women, and her “role” as a woman of color. This was reflected in many of her film and photography pieces. The notions Ana Mendieta had surrounding women reminded me of a quote from John Berger’s book, Ways Of Seeing. It states, “By contrast, a woman’s presence expresses her own attitude to herself, and defines what can and cannot be done her (Berger 46).” Berger also states “To be born a woman has been to be born, within an allotted and confined space, into the keeping of men. (Berger 46).” It can be interpreted that that is the very point Ana Mendieta was making in her art. She is provoking the idea of how society sees and defines a woman. 

Similarly, Andy Warhol’s personal experience of poverty and struggles with his health shaped his work in many ways. Andy Warhol was born dirt poor in Pennsylvania and the idea of being famous, let alone famous for his art, was very slim. However, when he was recognized he used his platform to self-invent through the presentation and reflection of his work. In Joanne Finkelstein's book, The Art of Self Invention, she states, “[pop culture]...provides visual displays of everyday values that have become prominent simply because of huge popularity (Finkelstein 17).” Warhol specifically plays on the idea of how and what society idolizes. For example, how society views everyday objects like soup or cereal, or the idolization and illusion of celebrity figures’ lives like Marilyn Monroe.

As for both, Mendieta and Warhol, they indeed became synonymous with their works. Or in other words, they became one with their pieces. Mendieta in a way where she literally became her art by inserting her naked body with raw materials. Warhol, in a way that incorporated  Day-Glo paints and silk screening techniques. This became significant and signature for each artist. For Ana Mendieta, her films were even more powerful and impactful on her audience. It was a statement against violence, oppression, and the overall inferiority society places on women and women of color. As for Warhol, his technique further emphasized the glamorization and saturation of people, personas, and everyday things. Furthermore, he used his work to point out the idea of surface and illusion we see in everyday society.

Overall, Andy Warhol and Ana Mendieta used unconventional tools and techniques in great depth to emphasize the themes of provoking societal norms and ideals, statement, individuality, and self-identity. It can be interpreted that for each of them they wanted to “embody a way of seeing (Berger 10).” They gave perspective beyond their years and reflection of themselves through their work that is still relevant today.

Works cited:

• “Ana Mendieta Art, Bio, Ideas.” The Art Story, www.theartstory.org/artist/mendieta-ana/.
• “Andy Warhol's Life.” The Andy Warhol Museum, https://www.warhol.org/andy-warhols-life/.
• Berger, John. Ways of Seeing. British Broadcasting Corporation, 2008.
• Finkelstein, Joanne. The Art of Self Invention: Image and Identity in Popular Visual Culture. Tauris, 2007.