Students inspired by Andy Warhol

STUDENTS who were inspired by the work of world renowned artist Andy Warhol hosted a ‘one day only’ Pop Up Art Gallery exhibition at Warrington Collegiate.
The students exhibiting were from the sixth form at the new Woolston Learning Village sixth form who have been studying art at Warrington Collegiate for 12 weeks with tutor Esther Grundy. Excitement was high, as for many, this was the first time they have exhibited their work in public.
The theme, chosen by Esther to inspire the students was Pop Art. A visit to the Tate Gallery in Liverpool to the Andy Warhol exhibition introduced the students to a whole new concept of art and one which they enthusiastically embraced.
Student Ainsley Rowe Jackson, “I’ve really enjoyed coming to college and enjoyed looking at Andy Warhol’s art. I liked the visit to the Tate gallery.”
Fellow student Steph McNally, said:”The art course is very good. I liked learning about Andy Warhol.”
Another student Gus Renshaw, (pictured right) added “Coming to college has been brilliant. I enjoyed the art class very much.”
Neil Bothwell, from Woolston Sixth Form who accompanied the learners was equally enthusiastic about the course and the student experience,
saying, “This has been a great opportunity for our students to experience a larger college environment and work with new staff. Esther and Karen Keavey, the Learner Facilitator, has been brilliant with the students. They have all got so much from the experience.”
Esther added, “The youngsters really engaged with the theme and are very enthusiastic about creating their own pieces. Pop Art is art within living memory. Many of their grandparents were children of the 1950s and 60s when artists in America and Britain such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and David Hockney were creating their own brand of art reflecting and driving the popular and commercial culture of the time. In fact it is often said that Andy Warhol transformed the modern art world. He was one of the most influential, controversial and notorious artists of the twentieth century and, as such, is incredibly exciting and inspiring for the young people of today who are just discovering their own unique style.”
It was Andy Warhol’s democratic belief that ‘art should be for everyone and Esther was determined to bring out the creativity in each one of her students.