Norman Rockwell Museum Presents “Uncle Andy’s Cats” and Other Pet Stories with Illustrator James Warhola

Cover illustration for “Uncle Andy’s Cats,” James Warhola. ©James Warhola. All rights reserved.

Stockbridge, MA, August 8, 2016—Norman Rockwell Museum will present a family day with illustrator James Warhola, nephew of artist Andy Warhol, on Saturday, August 13, from 1 to 5 p.m. Warhola, the illustrator of such children’s picture books as Uncle Andy’s and Uncle Andy’s Cats will discuss his work and sign books during this family event filled with storytelling, art making, and talks. Andy Warhol’s work can currently be seen in the Museum’s exhibition,Rockwell and Realism in an Abstract World.

The event is free for Museum members, or included with Museum admission.

James Warhola was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1955. A large influence during his childhood was his artistic family, especially his famous uncle, Pop artist-Andy Warhol. He has since illustrated over 30 books, several of which he has written, as well. These works have garnered him several state awards for Best Children’s Book and, in 2004, he received the International Reading Association’s Award for Best Non-Fiction Picture Book for his autobiographical story: Uncle Andy’s. Learn more about the artist on his website: www.jameswarhola.com

Rockwell and Realism in an Abstract World

On view through October 30, 2016

In post-World War II America, the primacy of abstract art was clearly acknowledged, and by 1961, when Rockwell painted The Connoisseur, Abstract Expressionism had been covered in the popular press for nearly 15 years. Originated in the 1940s by Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Franz Kline, Barnett Newman, and Mark Rothko, among others, Abstract Expressionism was the first American movement to achieve widespread international influence.

For the first time, Norman Rockwell Museum will explore the contrast between the abstract and realist movements, placing works by Rockwell, Wyeth, and Warhol side by side with Pollock, Calder, Johns, and over 40 other preeminent artists. Rockwell and Realism in an Abstract World examines the forces that forged the mid-century dismissal of narrative painting and illustration, as well as the resurgence of realist painting during the latter half of the twentieth century, its presence and critical consideration today, and the ways in which our contemporary viewpoints have been shaped by post World War II constructs.

The exhibition features the art of prominent illustrators, painters, and sculptors whose autographic art spans more than 60 years, representing many dynamic forms of visual communication.  Featured artists include: Marshall Arisman, Bo Bartlett, Austin Briggs, Alexander Calder, Alan E. Cober, Robert Cottingham, Robert Cunningham, Joe De Mers, Walton Ford, Eric Forstmann, Helen Frankenthaler, Bernie Fuchs, Sam Francis, Edwin Georgi, George Giusti, Ralph Goings, Cleve Grey, Brad Holland, Dan Howe, Jasper Johns, Jeff Koons, Anita Kunz, Jacqui Morgan, Robert Motherwell, Barbara Nessim, Barnett Newman, Tim O’Brien, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje Van Bruggen, Al Parker, Bob Peak, Philip Pearlstein, Jackson Pollock, Robert Rauschenberg, Larry Rivers, Norman Rockwell, Peter Rockwell, James Rosenquist, David Salle, Saul Steinberg, Cy Twombly, Andy Warhol, Robert Weaver, Thomas Woodruff, Andrew Wyeth, and Jamie Wyeth. The exhibition is sponsored by TD Bank.