Over the years, Scripps College has received 150 works from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and recently received seven more prints from the world-famous pop artist. The foundation donated the large screenprints as part of the Andy Warhol Photographic Legacy Program to the Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery at Scripps College, which is known for its diverse range of artwork and exhibits. The gallery has acquired work from some of the most popular photographers, sculptors, and artists, such as Ansel Adams, Betty Woodman, and Andy Warhol. These new additions to the gallery offer a look into the revolutionary pop art style in which Warhol was the leader.

As one of the leaders of the pop art transformation, Warhol is universally known for his creative and symbolic art. Pop art is a style that encompasses popular culture, such as portraits of celebrities and products (e.g., “Campbell’s Soup Cans”). This style started around the 1950s and was revolutionary, as it challenged what was previously thought to be fine art. Though the style was new at the time, it eventually grew popular and his paintings are some of the most famous and expensive of any artist to this day. Warhol was intentionally vague when it came to explaining the meaning behind his art and left it up to every individual to interpret the meaning of his paintings. His work has been described as provoking and influential by Claremont audiences.

“Although [Andy Warhol] somewhat idolized celebrities and the idea of fame, his work used the theme of popular culture to express the unfortunate reality of society’s view of people in the news and/or media as objects of interest and gossip, rather than fragile human beings,” CHS photography teacher Melissa Wonacott said.

Having access to such a diverse and large gallery like the one at Scripps is a privilege for students at CHS. With the new addition of art at the Scripps gallery, students are able to observe some of the pieces that have had a significant effect on our culture today. The importance of art is often overlooked, but these newly acquired paintings offer a great opportunity for students to look at one man’s historic take on popular culture.

“For one to be taught an art, whether it be visual or performance-based, they are allowing themselves access to a different part of their brain which expresses not only what they are feeling, but what they think is important for the world to recognize,” sophomore Mandy Perea said. “Going out and seeing examples of art in museums not only inspires artists by incorporating different styles into their own work, but also makes them strive for greatness.”

The Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery opened in 1993 and has a range of artwork from its collection of Chinese paintings to its collection of contemporary ceramics. With about 3,500 years worth of artwork, the collection of art that Scripps has is far more well-rounded than that of most museums near Claremont. The gallery is used for educational purposes at the college, but CHS students are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to learn from the collections they have there.

“I’d like to see more in-depth how his art sparked a new style among other artists based off of his daring try-something-new style of art—which isn’t necessarily accepted in the art world a lot,” sophomore Helene Thomas said.

The new additions of the Warhol prints add to what is already a diverse collection. The large screenprints are a must see for any aspiring artist or anyone interested in popular culture from the mid-20th century. The work donated ranges from Warhol’s portraits of popular icons, such as Ingrid Bergman as “The Nun,” to the Cologne Cathedral. This addition to the gallery offers students an interesting and educational look into the pop art movement without having to venture out of the city.