Check Out Tootsie Warhol’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tootsie Warhol.

Hi Tootsie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am the son of an immigrant. My father fled persecution in Baghdad, Iraq in 1950 to come to New York City as a boy. I am a born and raised New Yorker, and after a decade-long career as an attorney with a focus on advocacy regarding civil rights and for victims of domestic violence, I am presently working as an artist and activist.

I had a fateful meeting with Donald Trump the week of his inauguration in 2017 that changed my life. I went to Trump Tower with civil rights activists to discuss voter suppression, and that surreal experience inspired me to engage more directly in politics and to make art as a means of activism.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It is a challenge for anyone to pivot their career, and the pivot from practicing as a civil rights attorney to working as an artist and activist is a dramatic pivot no doubt. For this reason, I appreciate the loyal supporters of my work who collect my prints and who engage with my work on Instagram and all social media platforms.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am most well known for a satirical Donald Trump performance art that I do which is based on my meeting with the former president. I began this still ongoing performance work at the 2019 Whitney Biennial where I observed that less than 1% of the marquee show in New York City which bills itself as addressing contemporary social and political issues touched directly on Trump.

I have deep respect for the curators of the 2019 Whitney Biennial and understand that their job is very challenging, but many people I’ve spoken with agree that the museum’s inability to use their platform to discuss Donald Trump during his presidency was a missed opportunity.

So I began a two months long performance known as “MAKING THE BIENNIAL GREAT AGAIN!” which was much beloved by visitors and staff at the museum of all ages and backgrounds and which was subsequently covered by Vanity Fair, Artnet News, and other prominent media outlets.

My performances take direct inspiration from legendary performance artists such as Marina Abramovic, who I observed in her memorable 2010 performance at MoMA “The Artist is Present,” and also from Pope. L who I observed in his iconic performance “Eating the Wall Street Journal” in 2020 and who often has used the streets of New York City to perform much like myself.

Even though Donald Trump is out of office, he remains a grave threat to our democracy and public health in the midst of the pandemic and as states continue to pass new laws designed to restrict voting. I will continue to make art regarding Donald Trump even as I move on to other important issues as well.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Through my recent travels to the Great Plains, including an unforgettable visit to Kansas City, I’ve confirmed through experience that America really is an incredible place. In Kansas City, not only did I visit incredible sights like the world-class Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the monumental National WWI Museum and Memorial, but I also met great people and of course had some classic barbecue as well!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tootsiewarhol.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tootsiewarholny/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TootsieWarholNY
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/tootsiewarholNY

Image Credits
© 2021 Tootsie Warhol Industries, New York. All Rights Reserved.