Warhol on Warhol

Warhol was an extremely public figure, but a very private person. His guardedness, offset by his desire to place himself in front of the media, has created a confounding situation. While Warhol masterfully presented a honed persona to the world, his façade also drove critics, fans, acquaintances, and perfect strangers to hunt for evidence of his personal life. As a result, many observers who did not directly know Warhol feel a personal claim to the white-wigged phenomenon and often refer to him as Andy. Rather than using Warhol's formal surname, his given name hints at heightened familiarity and understanding.