PEORIA, Ill. — In 1983, American artist Andy Warhol created the Endangered Species series, which depicts ten animals that were recognized in the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
The screen prints, presented in Warhol’s signature pop style, resemble the artist’s depictions of celebrities like Dolly Parton and Muhammed Ali.
This stylistic choice allows for a visual elevation of the animals’ representation – through oversized portraiture, bold outlines, and vibrant colors.
Warhol made 150 editions of the Endangered Species set of ten screen prints. He donated 100 of them to wildlife conservation organizations with the intention that they be auctioned off to raise money.
Andy Warhol: Endangered Species is on display now through December 11 at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
The Warhol exhibit was organized by Art Bridges with works drawn from the collection of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
Art Bridges CEO Paul Provost tells WMBD’s “The Greg and Dan Show”, Warhol’s work is being shown in Peoria as part of an exhibition called “American Revolutionaries” at the Riverfront Museum.
“They’re great works of American art, there’s some classic Hudson River School paintings, but there’s also some great contemporary art,” Provost says.
These works of art are on long-term loan from some of the most reputable art houses in the nation, Provost says.
“It can be complicated moving works of art around, because they’re precious objects, and we have to be careful how we handle them, and all that. So, working with museums like the Riverfront Museum is fantastic, because they understand it, and they get it from that perspective,” Provost says.
Peoria Riverfront Museum CEO John Morris tells WMBD’s “The Greg and Dan Show”, he’s thrilled that Peoria has a chance to see Warhol’s work.
“The most important American art philanthropist of our age, is investing in Peoria, Illinois. We’re so grateful for Paul Provost to come, so grateful for Alice Walton and all she’s doing for not only Peoria, but really America…American art helps us look in the mirror,” Morris says.
To learn more about Andy Warhol: Endangered Species, click HERE.
