Keeps Popping Up

by A.D. Amorosi

Art

Nearly 40 years after Andy Warhol graced the staircase of the ICA for his first out-of-town exhibit, Philadelphia's contribution to pop art (and it to us) is prominent. While masters of pop have given Philly signature artworks (Claes Oldenburg's Clothespin, Robert Indiana's Love), Philadelphian multimedia artists such as Virgil Marti have added their wonky stuffs (wallpaper art, Altoid tins) to pop's iconography. Where pop goes, so goes art historian Debra Miller. This teacher, curator and author of Artists of the Warhol Circle Then and Now, has been at the heart of all things Andy for years. "Because of the long tradition of pop in Philadelphia, I wanted to see if there were neo-pop artists inspired by the original icons, continuing the tradition, but with contemporary media, themes and such," says Miller, who has organized "RePop," an exhibit at Da Vinci Art Alliance. "We had more entries for this show than for any other juried show. It's phenomenal how many artists are working in a pop style." Juried by Miller and Rick Armstrong (Brand Manager, The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh), "RePop" features 24 U.S. artists inspired by pop's style, technique, subject matter and tone, including Trenton's Karey Maurice and Pottsville's Robert Stickloon. (Pictured is Richard Glenn's Gun Flower.) These artists will not only vie for cash prizes but have an opportunity to have their Andy-inspired works seen by Madalen Warhola (Andy's niece, who runs the family silk-screening business, Warhola Wear) and her brother George (Andy's studio assistant in the early '80s). "With my connections to the Warhol circle, I thought it was a good opportunity for neo-pop artists to have their work juried by reps from the Warhol Museum and the Warhola family," says Miller. "Plus, the show will be colorful and fun. There's too much dreary art around here."

"RePop," Sat., Sept. 4, 6-9 pm., awards reception Sept. 18, runs through Sept. 26, Da Vinci Art Alliance, 704 Catharine St., 215-829-0466.