Andy WARHOL - Orangutan (FS II.299)

ORANGUTAN 299
The Orangutan is native to Asian countries Indonesia and Malaysia, but due to the expansion of civilization and negative environmental factors, today they are only found in Borneo and Sumatra. The species is divided up into two, Bornean and Sumatran, based on their current habitats. Both continue to be listed as endangered, with the Sumatran orangutan categorized as critically endangered. They are extremely intelligent primates, which has provoked many humans to take them as pets, contributing to their fragile placement in the ecosystem.

ORANGUTAN 299 AS PART OF ANDY WARHOL’S LARGER BODY OF WORK
In 1983 Warhol was commissioned by his friend and publisher Ron Feldman and his wife Freyda to create the series of 10 endangered species. Both Freyda and Ronald were celebrated political activists who were very active philanthropists. In 1983, they asked Warhol to create a portfolio of ten endangered species to raise environmental consciousness. Warhol fondly referred to this series as his “animals in makeup,” given the bold pop colors he uses to portray the animals as large than life.The inspiration behind this series was to rise consciousness of environmental issues. Warhol fondly referred to this series as his “animals in makeup,” given the bold pop colors he uses to portray the animals as large than life.