Andy Warhol: Mark Sink, Fort Collins, September, 1981. Gelatin silver print. 8 3/4 x 6 in. image size. © 2010 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. University of Denver Art Collections
DU’s Myhren Gallery will present “Warhol In Colorado” — an exhibition featuring screen prints, photographs, films, record album covers, posters and other works by and about Andy Warhol — Jan. 20 –March 13.
The exhibition is built around 158 Warhol Polaroid photos and silver prints gifted to the gallery by the Warhol Foundation in 2008.
“Warhol was famous for taking pictures of everything — not only partying and posing, but even shaving — or doing less glamorous things,” says Dan Jacobs, DU art curator and Myhren Gallery director. “It was his way of saying, ‘I’m open to everything — it’s all material.”
Case in point: Warhol took pictures of Mark Sink’s fresh bike crash wounds when the two met at Colorado State University in 1981.
“I tracked him down at CSU after a bike race up in Fort Collins,” Sink says. “He loved my bike fresh crash wounds. He took zillions pictures of them — thus me in my underwear shots displayed all over Colorado now.”
Sink, now an accomplished photographer, was studying photography at the University of Colorado-Denver at the time. While he was getting some recognition for his photography of bike shops and bike racing, the chance meeting with Warhol changed the course of his life.
“It busted me out of my little bubble like a rocket,” Sink says. “Andy coming into my life changed everything from that time on.”
Over the years, Sink and Warhol became friends. Sink was able to capture photos of Warhol enjoying Colorado.
“He loved it — he loved bundling up and playing in the snow like anyone,” he says.
Some of Sink’s photos, including one of Warhol skiing and another of him falling off a snowmobile, will be included in the DU exhibition along with Warhol’s photographs.
The exhibition also will include two sets of 10 screen prints: Mao from 1972 and Myths from 1981. In addition, the exhibition will include a set of four Muhammad Ali screenprints from 1978, photographs of Warhol from the early 1980s by Colorado-based photographers Valere Harris Shane and John Bonath, prints and photographs from the museum collection at Colorado State University and the University of Colorado-Boulder, and a variety of familiar Campbell’s Soup can imagery.
A patron party, fundraiser and VIP exhibit preview called “The Happening” will kick off opening night Jan. 20 from 6–11 p.m. The fundraising event is filled with art, film and musical performance all to support the Myhren Gallery.
“This is a rare opportunity to see a fantastic exhibit and experience it with other Warhol enthusiasts,” says Victoria Myhren. “’The Happening’ is a wonderful way to have fun and support the arts and education at DU.”
VIP guests receive an exclusive preview of the exhibit, a Warhol Treasures collectible book, light food and access to the open bar. Tickets are $250 and support the Myhren Gallery. General tickets and young professional tickets are available for $125 and $85, with DU students being admitted for $20. For ticket information, reservations and information visit www.blacktie-colorado.com.
The Myhren Gallery, located in DU’s School of Art and Art History at 2121 E. Asbury Ave. in Denver, will be open daily from noon–6 p.m. Admission is free.
“Warhol In Colorado” partners include the Cable Center, Denver Film Society, Denver Art Museum, Colorado State University, University of Colorado-Denver, the Denver Month of Photography, the University of Colorado Art Museum at Boulder and DU ART!
“I am of course biased, but I think he is one of the most important artists of our time,” Sink says.