Chanel Met Campbell’s: Warhol’s London Debut Turns Ads into Art

Pop art’s kingpin, Andy Warhol, didn’t just paint soup cans—he transformed everyday ads into high-voltage art. Now, for the first time, his bold 1980s advert works are lighting up London at Halcyon Gallery’s “Beyond the Brand.” Warhol’s “Ad Set” splashes iconic brands like Chanel and Volkswagen with his unmistakable color and wit, flipping the script on what advertising can be. Alongside these, the show traces his evolution from 1950s commercial illustrator to Pop Art trailblazer, featuring early sketches and those famous Campbell’s soup cans. Portraits of figures from Elizabeth II to Mao Zedong round out the exhibition, which gathers one of the largest Warhol graphic collections outside Pittsburgh. From glossy consumerism to cultural icons, Warhol’s work blurs the line between commerce and creativity—reminding us that in his world, even a watch ad could become a masterpiece. #AndyWarhol #PopArt #LondonExhibitions #Culture