Billy Name was the in-house archivist at Warhol’s Factory and his photographs from this period (1964-68) are one of the most important photographic documents of any single artist, ever. Milk Gallery’s current exhibit, Billy Name: The Silver Age, coincides with next month’s release of a book the same title. It’s filled with Warhol’s “superstars” at The Factory, which Name famously covered in tin foil.
Billy Name arrived in New York City as William Linich. He met Warhol while working at Serendipity 3 and the two struck up a friendship –as well as a brief romance– which led to Name’s attraction to photography. The images included in both the show and the book were mostly taken with Name’s now-lost Honeywell Pentax, which was a gift from Andy. Billy started to distance himself from Warhol not long after the Factory relocated to Union Square. After Warhol was shot by Valerie Solanis, Billy was the first to get to Warhol and he held him crying. Andy said, “Don’t make me laugh Billy, it hurts too much.” After Andy had recovered, Billy left a note on his door in the Factory;
“Dear Andy, I am not here anymore, but I am fine. Really.
With love, Billy.”
Billy Name: Silver Age is at the Milk Gallery in New York City through December 7.
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