James Warhola with original silkscreen Marilyn Monroe print

Taking place from June 29 to August
31 in Elements Mall, A Close Encounter
with Warhola features some of Andy Warhol’s never-before-seen work,
including ten pieces from his
pre-pop phase in the 50s and the original silkscreen pieces of
Campbell’s Soup Can and Marilyn Monroe paintings. 

James Warhola, Warhol’s nephew (his uncle dropped the
‘a’ from his name after graduation) and renowned children’s book illustrator,
specially flew into Hong Kong – hence the title of the event – to unveil some of the pieces. Those with a knack
for art-making are invited to join the Pop Art Jamming Workshop, to be held 30
July and 14 August, and Silkscreen T-shirt Station,
to be held 17 July and 28 August.

Eight of Warhola’s award-winning illustrations are also on display. As a token of thanks, he presented Elements with
his own Pop Art drawing – ‘Pop Art‧Hong
Kong’. He expressed his appreciation at the opening ceremony on June 29. “I feel honoured that
Elements invited me to bring Uncle Andy’s masterpieces to Hong Kong. I used Hong Kong’s floral emblem as
the focal point of my piece in the hope that it would encourage Pop Art to
flourish in the local art scene, like a blooming Bauhinia flower.’

James Warhol with ‘Pop Art‧Hong Kong’

James Warhola & co. toasts to the success of the exhibition

During the opening ceremony,
James Warhola was joined by five-year-old artistic genius Kenny Lau and
three local Small Montmartre of Bitola winners to create collaborative art
pieces as a tribute to the Pop Art master.