Andy Warhol
Jockey, for the "LeRoy Neiman / Andy Warhol" sporting paintings exhibition at The Los Angeles Institute of Contemporary Art, 1981
Offset screen-print in colours on paper.
88.9 x 54 cm
Condition: Excellent
The LeRoy Neiman / Andy Warhol exhibition poster from 1981 was created to promote a collaborative show featuring two of the most iconic American artists of the 20th century. Held at the Los Angeles Institute of Contemporary Art (LAICA), the exhibition showcased the vibrant, energetic works of LeRoy Neiman alongside Andy Warhol’s distinctive pop art style. The poster itself reflects the dynamic contrast between Neiman’s bold, expressive brushwork and Warhol’s cool, graphic sensibility.
The present work portrays the famed Jockey; Willie Shoemaker depicted in his riding hat.
Warhol created from the painting and serigraphs he did for the world's most famous jockey. Part of the three year period in which he created "Andy's Athletes", Shoemaker is perhaps the most storied of the dozen he did in that period along with Muhammad Ali and OJ Simpson. Willie's wife showed up who Warhol recounted as being one of the tallest women he had ever seen. "When she dressed the 4'10" jockey for the photo, he looked like an eight-year-old kid. And guess what he was wearing; little Jockey shorts!" A strange image but that came right from Andy Warhol's journal.In addition to this work being exceptionally rare to come across and signed; this artwork has is both dedicated personally by Warhol and from the private estate of legendary Irish music executive and label owner Billy Gaff further adding to its provenance and desirability. Billy Gaff began his talent management career in artist management, most notably as manager of Rod Stewart during the early part of his career. Later acted for artists such as The Bee Gees, The Clash, Cream, John Mellencamp, Peter Frampton, Status Quo and Limahl. Gaff also founded labels CM Records and Riva records.