Andy Warhol’s Turtle, 1985 is a metamorphic portrait of a sea turtle in shades of purples, pinks, and blues. Based on a photograph the unusual colour palette is striking and surreal, interrupting the viewer’s ability to recognize the subject. Whilst the saturated hues amplify the image, Warhol’s pop art style iconizes the turtle with intensity through his use of graphic outlines and commercial aesthetic.
While this artwork was not part of a series, it was created two years following Warhol’s famous and acclaimed Endangered Species Portfolio, addressing the artist’s concern for the preservation of wildlife. While it is likely that Warhol’s care for ecological issues informed his creation, Andy Warhol Turtle, 1985’s conception was promotional. The artwork was published to coincide with the 1985 film Turtle Diary written by Harold Pinter, a romantic comedy centred on the sea turtles at London zoo, and the individuals who wish to free them from captivity. Directed by John Irvin and based on the novel by Russell Hoban, the film featured stars such as Ben Kingsley and Glenda Jackson.
