ArtBeat – WARHOLiday

By Ed Goldman

Artist Andy Warhol once famously predicted (or warned),  “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.” His work, persona and legacy certainly eclipsed that—which is one reason why Archival Gallery is presenting WARHOLiday, a group show, December 1-31.

The Gallery, at 3223 Folsom Blvd. in East Sacramento, will be open for a Second Saturday Public Reception on December 10 from 5-8 p.m., featuring live music by Cactus Pete and the Gallery’s signature (oh, let’s call it iconic) Vintage Santas Display. More on that in a moment.

“Over the past few decades through conversations with many artists, I learned just how influential Warhol has been to the younger generations of modern artists,” says Archival founder/director D Oldham Neath. In 1981, she recalls, Warhol appeared at a special exhibition at Weinstocks in Sacramento with his “myths” portfolio; now, some the artists who got to meet him are participating in “WARHOLiday.”

“Exhibiting their ‘homage’ works next to prints from that exhibition means they get to show with their art hero,” Neath adds. “It’s also a wonderful treat for the gallery.”

“My piece for the show references a specific early pre-silkscreen Pop painting of Warhol’s,” says Corey Okada, a longtime admirer of Warhol’s work. “It touches on several themes —image, fame and death—that Warhol utilized as motifs throughout his career.”

Okada is a native Sacramentan whose mixed media paintings, drawings, and constructions have been shown locally and regionally. He clarifies that even though “I’m a huge fan of (Warhol’s) work, mine obviously doesn’t look like his…but his ideas have influenced my process to no end.”

“By the way,” Okada says,  “I believe the likes of Warhol will not be seen again. His influence continues to be felt not only in contemporary art, where echoes of his work run rampant, but in the culture at large, more than 35 years after his death.” (Warhol died in 1987 at 58.)

Other artists to be featured in the show are Maureen Hood, Stephanie Pierson, Sean Royal, and Mel Smothers. “We’ll also be showing Warhol prints that we have on consignment,” says Neath.

In addition to the annual group exhibition, the gallery is displaying a collection of vintage Santa Clauses, Mrs. Clauses, and snowpersons in the front window for guests and drivers on Folsom Boulevard to enjoy. These light-up displays are a popular attraction for fans of holiday lights, for which select East Sac streets are famous.

You should stop by and see for yourself why this highly respected and enduring art exhibition space has lasted well beyond Warhol’s 15 minutes. 

(Archival Gallery is open Tuesdays-through Saturdays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The phone number is 916.923.6204.)

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