‘Indiana with Love’, 1964 - WILLIAM JOHN KENNEDY (WJK)

Robert Indiana with “Love” at his Coenties Slip Studio, New York City
Silver gelatin Fiber print
16 x 20 inches / 40.64 x 50.8 cm
Printed: 2010-2012
Edition: 60 with 7 artist proofs
37/60

Lost to the world for almost 40 years, the images in UNSEEN INDIANA capture the legendary artist ROBERT INDIANA in the nascent stages of a career that would come to redefine the landscape of contemporary art – one that boldly tackled personal identity and consumerism in an era in thrall to the newly discovered power of mass advertising.

Robert Indiana and Andy Warhol were contemporaries and sometime collaborators in the Pop Art movement of the 1960s, with Indiana notably appearing in Warhol’s film “Eat”. They shared a close bond during their early New York art scene days, and were often seen together, including at the exhibition The Americans at the Museum of Modern Art, which features heavily in the LOVE room of the exhibition.

Interestingly Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE series originated from a childhood memory of a church sign reading GOD IS LOVE, which he reinterpreted as LOVE IS GOD reflecting his personal spirituality. This concept was then translated into a series of paintings, and was subsequently developed into sculptures, and even a US postage stamp, solidifying its status as the most reproduced contemporary artwork in history.

Both Warhol and Indiana explored themes of love in their work, and both experienced challenging upbringings, including poverty and homophobia, which likely fostered a sense of outsider camaraderie and mutual understanding. The clear affection they had for each other is captured by William John Kennedy in the LOVE room, alongside works that show the conceptual genesis of his most famous art- work – a brilliant piece by a true master, whose legacy continues to inspire.

Kennedy’s unseen cache of Robert Indiana and Andy Warhol portraits was rediscovered just a few years ago when the late photographer found a set of negatives and transparencies he had taken from 1963-1964. Until now, many of these rare photographs have only been shown in private auctions, and as part of a presentation at PHOTO LONDON in September 2021.