Edna R. Weissman 1977

This photograph of Edna R. Weissman was taken by Andy Warhol at an unknown date. It's a small picture, roughly 10 x 8 cm, capturing a portrait of a woman. The colour palette is soft, almost pastel, with a creamy background that makes her features stand out. I imagine Warhol, in his studio, camera in hand, circling his subject. What was he looking for? A certain pose, a particular expression? There's something about the direct gaze that feels both intimate and distant. The red lipstick pops against the more muted tones of her skin, and the hair, oh, the hair has a life of its own! It's fascinating how Warhol manages to flatten and amplify at the same time. There is a dialogue happening between what he is trying to do in his own work and what he sees in others' work. Maybe that is what all artists do. It's a conversation, constantly building on what's been said before. It's about seeing things in a new light, and trusting that even the simplest image can hold so much more than what meets the eye.