Warhol is Autistic (Episode 33)

Autistic Culture Podcast | What if autism isn’t what you think it is?

0:00

-1:08:16

Warhol is Autistic (Episode 33)

Meet Autistic culture's iconic, tomato soup loving visionary, Andy Warhol.

Dr. Angela Kingdon

Jun 06, 2023

Transcript

Listen to Autistic podcast hosts discuss: Was Andy Warhol Autistic? Autism Podcast | Meet this Autistic artist who loved repetition and autistic foods! Like many Autistic celebrities, he found cover under the title of "eccentric," but we know--he was one of us. — Matt: A man can't just like soup? Angela: Dude, dude likes soup. Ate Campbell's tomato soup and a grilled cheese every day. Every single day.

Autistic 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.