An entire London residence will dedicate its space to exhibit the forgotten photographs of Andy Warhol and American printmaker central to the pop-art movement, Robert Indiana. Photographed by William John Kennedy who was known to document the ‘bohemian New York life,’ these images were said to be lost to the world for nearly 40 years.
William John Kennedy’s most interesting pieces of work were rediscovered in the mid-90s when he and his wife stumbled upon a set of negatives of photographs of artists Andy Warhol and Robert Indiana from 1963-1964years said to be pivotal for both of their careers.
This collaboration between Kennedy first began in 1963 when he met Indiana at an art opening in New York, it was shortly after working with Indiana that he was then introduced to Warhol at the Americans exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in May of 1963.
Kennedy then went on to photograph Warhol and other members of his circle such as Gerard Malanga, Ultra Violet and Taylor Mead.
Kennedy’s archive has been featured in a coffee table book titled ‘William John Kennedy: The Lost Archive (ACC, 2022)’ and also featured in a critically acclaimed documentary titled ‘Full Circle’ (2010) which showcased video footage of Kennedy reuniting with Indiana and surviving iconic subjects of Warhol.
Kennedy spent much of his career under the radar working as a commercial photographer whose original work was always handed and in the property of the advertising agencies he worked for. While fine art photography was his true passion, he only developed a full body of work in the early 2000s.
These rare photographs can now be seen in The Warhol Kennedy Residence in Londonnestled just a few minutes away from The Strand. Open to visit from April 2nd, the residence will be home to unseen archive documenting the two leading giants of the 20th century art movement.
The Warhol Kennedy Residence will be the only place that one can experience the entirety of the collection with purchase editions available for the stunning and iconic images.
