1986

Camouflage Self-Portrait

American, 1928 - 1987

In this self-portrait Andy Warhol combines a Polaroid photo of himself with a hot pink and red camouflage pattern, contrasting the individuality of portraiture with the uniformity of camouflage. The artist stares directly out at the viewer, screened by a pattern that offers the illusion of personal protection but also implies imminent danger. This piece, part of a series of camouflage paintings, was created in 1986, the year before the artist's death. Like Thomas Hirschhorn today, Warhol was intrigued by the use of camouflage in the military and in fashion as an ambiguous instrument that could either conceal or call attention to the wearer.