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Freedom

Andy Warhol, Bald Eagle, 1983, screen print on paper, 38 x 38 in. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, 2015.38.3. © The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts / Licensed by Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photography by Edward C. Robison III.

Additional Resources

Blog - Women's History Month: Vanessa German

Andy Warhol
Bald Eagle

  • What symbols represent America?  Why do you think that the Eagle is a national symbol?

It may seem surprising that Andy Warhol represented animals in these works, when he is much better known for depicting celebrities. Through his use of large images and bright colors, Warhol turned these endangered animals into icons.

Warhol’s desire to depict endangered species came from conversations he had with art collectors about environmental issues. He made 150 editions of these ten screen prints, 100 of which he donated to wildlife conservation organizations with the intention that they be auctioned off in order to raise money for their causes.

There is an added significance to Warhol making prints of endangered animals. In his screen prints, which were based on photographs of disappearing species, the source photographs themselves disappear, replaced by layers of colorful ink. And yet, because of the ability of these printed images to be reproduced, Warhol’s series also symbolically “created” 1,500 new animals.

  • What responsibilities come with an artist's freedom to create? How can an artist play a role in national awareness about ecological, social, and political issues?

Content Contributors

Exhibition sponsored by Kenneth C. Griffin

Learning and engagement programming for
We the People: The Radical Notion of Democracy is sponsored by:

Sarah and Ross Perot, Jr. Foundation | Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates, & Woodyard, P.L.L.C. | Johnny and Jeanie Morris, Bass Pro Shops | Alturas Foundation | Harriet and Warren Stephens, Stephens Inc. | Sotheby’s | Bob and Becky Alexander | Marybeth and Micky Mayfield | Lamar and Shari Steiger | Jeff and Sarah Teague / Citizens Bank | Arkansas Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities | Avis and Bill Bailey | Scarlett and Neff Basore | June Carter Family | Terri and Chuck Erwin | Jackye and Curtis Finch | The Harrison and Rhonda French Family | Jim and Susan von Gremp | Laurice Hachem | Shannon and Charles Holley | Valorie and Randy Lawson / Lawco Energy Group | Donna and Mack McLarty | Steve and Susan Nelson | Neal and Gina Pendergraft | Helen Porter | JT and Imelda Rose | Lee and Linda Scott | Stella Boyle Smith Trust, Catherine and Michael Mayton, Trustees | William Reese Company

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