Hearts 1981

Andy Warhol made this painting of four hearts with a screen-printing technique. The ground looks brushed, and there's a little white drip – maybe an accident, maybe on purpose. I love that the black hearts sit on top of the pink like stickers. The hearts feel really solid, almost like dark stones, against the cotton-candy pink. The color contrast makes the texture of the hearts pop; they're gritty, like sandpaper. You can almost feel it on your fingertips. That gritty texture is everything. It gives the painting a tactile quality. It’s not just about seeing; it's about imagining the feel of it. And then there are those brushstrokes, so casual and free, which feel related to Guston. Warhol’s hearts are never just sweet; they're a bit tough, a bit cool, inviting multiple readings.