In a stunning development, the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts has announced that it will do away with its controversial Andy Warhol Art Authentication Board early next year. Considering the sheer volume of the Pop artist’s production, his appropriation-based methods, and his frequent degree of remove from the finished product, authentication issues have always been at the core of his legacy. Does this mean chaos is about to reign over the Warhol market?

Stay tuned for more news as this develops, but in the meantime here’s the foundation’s announcement of the dissolution of the board, which it states is being effected to allow more time for its activities supporting living artists.

A Statement from the Board of Directors of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc.

The Board of Directors of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. announced today that the Foundation will dissolve the Andy Warhol Art Authentication Board, Inc. in early 2012.   The Foundation’s decision to dissolve the Authentication Board was informed by a strategic review of the Foundation’s core programs and reflects the Foundation’s intent to maximize its grant-making and other charitable activities in support of the visual arts.

The Directors further expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the exemplary work and expertise provided by members of the Authentication Board over the past 16 years.   The Authentication Board will honor all requests for review received prior to October 19, 2011; but will no longer accept requests for review after that date.

At a time of critical and increasing need for support, the Foundation remains strongly dedicated to its primary charitable mission:  that of advancing the visual arts.   As a leading grant-maker in the field, the Foundation funds a wide range of museum exhibitions; curatorial research; innovative arts programming by scores of non-profit organizations; arts writing; and individual artist projects through its support of Creative Capital.  The Foundation is also engaged more generally in efforts to preserve and protect to the fullest extent all rights of artistic expression.  In addition, the Foundation advances the scholarship and understanding of Andy Warhol’s own work through research activities, the publication of the Catalogues Raisonné and by its continued funding and support of The Andy Warhol Museum.

The Foundation’s broad goal is thus to continue to promote greater public understanding and appreciation of the visual arts and the vital contribution that artists and artistic expression make to building and sustaining a more creative and engaged society.

Tags: Andy Warhol, Warhol Foundation