• Select one image and describe what it seems to express about the person shown.


• Do you think the artist is telling the truth about him- or herself?


• If you created a self-portrait, what would you want it to convey?

Andy had a cold, limp handshake. You sensed he was really surprised at all the attention he was getting. He never thought he was attractive. Some men are made for drag, Andy was not.

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This Photograph is a close up view of Warhol, picturing only his head and shoulders. He has chosen to be depicted in drag, wearing a wig and full make-up, but he is topless and wears no gender specific clothing. In fact, since the photograph shows only his head and shoulders, he has reduced his body to parts that are neither obviously male nor female. Perhaps he has chosen to portray himself as a woman in order to show a feminine side to his personality, or perhaps he is trying to express more deeply rooted aspirations to either become gender neutral or to change gender completely. The expression on Warhol's face is solemn, stoic and quite sad or melancholy, alluding to missed opportunities or an unhappiness within his own skin. Despite the fact Warhol has chosen to dress up and put a "mask" on in this photograph, there is a rawness and honesty to the image.

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