Andrea Feldman (Long Straight Dark Blonde Hair) 1981

Andy Warhol made this Polaroid of Andrea Feldman, sometime in the 70s, using what seems like the simplest means. It's a great example of how, sometimes, the most unassuming method can be the most effective. I love the colour palette here, the kind of faded pastel of a memory. It’s like Warhol has captured a fleeting moment, a glance over the shoulder. Look at the way the light catches her hair, turning it into a cascade of dark blonde. The texture feels almost dreamlike, a little soft-focus. What grabs me most is the directness. There’s a casualness to the pose, an intimacy, that speaks to Warhol's skill at capturing the essence of his subjects. Warhol’s Polaroids remind me a bit of Gerhard Richter’s paintings based on photographs. Both artists play with the idea of representation, using mechanical means to create something deeply human. Ultimately, art is about making connections, finding new ways to see the world, and each other.