In this episode of The Autistic Culture Podcast:
The podcast hosts discuss artist Andy Warhol through the lens of Autistic culture. While he never had an autism diagnosis, Warhol had many Autistic traits like monotropic focus, sensory differences around food, echolalia in interviews, and dyslexia. Fortunately, his "eccentric" persona was permitted as part of his mystique as an artist.
Warhol embraced repetitive subjects like soup cans and celebrities in his pop art. People on the autism spectrum tend to enjoy consistency and visual thinking. He threw costume parties where guests took on characters, which allowed for authentic self-expression while avoiding small talk. Warhol was gay but downplayed it publicly. He balanced masking with being an art world "outsider."
“Because he's an artist and eccentric, people are like, ‘what does it mean?’ Nobody's like, ‘It means he's Autistic and he's using his communication skills.’” –Angela
After being shot, Warhol's health and sensory differences shaped his limited diet. He only ate foods he knew were safe and gave him comfort—what Autistic people call, “safe foods.”
Warhol obsessively collected "pointless trinkets" and art materials. The hosts see Warhol as creatively leveraging his natural traits to succeed in business and art on his own terms.
“That's why we need space to show off our wonderful collections and to have validation from other people to say, my, that is a fine collection you have.” —Matt
As one of the most influential artists of the 20th century—his style recognizable to many adults and children—Warhol was known for his unique perspective and innovative creations that revolutionized the art world. Matt and Angela examine the ways in which his distinctive style and approach to art resonate with Autistic individuals, shining a light on the beauty of neurodiversity and wearing the same brand of underwear every damn day.
Do you resonate with Warhol’s story? Tell us about your same-foods in the comments!
Show notes and resources:
Was autism the secret of Warhol's art?
Will We Ever Really Know Who Andy Warhol Was? A New Docuseries Digs Into His Private Life
Andy Warhol Eating a Hamburger
Andy Warhol & Edie Sedgwick INTERVIEW 1965
Related episodes…Episode 29: Questlove is Autistic, Episode 03: Poetry is Autistic, Episode 19: Eminem is Autistic
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**TACP recognizes that ABA for autism is harmful to Autistic mental health. We reject the use of ABA therapy and pathologizing language like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and associated functioning labels and the harmful monolith: Autism Speaks. To learn more, please listen to: Episode 20: Sesame Street is Autistic and Episode 24: The Trouble with Temple Grandin.
Episode 33: Warhol is Autistic