Pietro Psaier Marijuana Lithograph PIETRO PSAIER 1936-2004 Pietro Psaier was born in a small village outside Rome, Italy in 1936 and led an interesting and varied life. During the 1950's his father worked on concept sports car designs for Enzo Ferrari and Pietro, with his natural artistic talent often helped and worked as his apprentice. Feeling lost in post-war Italy the young Pietro relocated first to Madrid and then in 1961 found his way to Soho, New York. He met Andy Warhol and an extraordinary relationship blossomed between the two. Psaier began designing backdrops for Warhol's films and eventually produced layouts, silk-screens and joint works at Warhol's studio 'The Factory', Psaier was a skilled artist with watercolours, oils and pencil. Some critics say that without Psaier and fellow artist Rupert Jasen Smith in the background Warhol could never have maintained production of the Factory commercial output but with dignity and style both men chose not to take the limelight from Warhol. 'My friendship with Andy Warhol led me to change my style. I never capitalized on Andy's fame'. Pietro Psaier, 1993. After his relationship with Warhol diminished Psaier continued to work by himself at a prolific rate producing hundreds of original pieces of art work. His most popular subjects included Andy Warhol, Marilyn Monroe, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, Oscar Wilde, Jackie Onassis, The Clash, James Joyce, the Beatles, Francis Bacon, depictions of Christ and even Royalty.In the early 70's Psaier moved to California and together with Rick Griffin designed psychedelic rock posters for various bands. During the late 1970's Psaier was commissioned by many famous stars from the Music and Film business to produce statement pieces for their lavish mansions. Works were produced for Keith Moon, Oliver Reed and Michael Caine to name a few. In 1974 Psaier became the second youngest artist to be awarded the 'Italian-American Institute of Art' 56th Annual Award, in New York, a prize given for inspiration to artistic Peers. In 1978 Psaier and Warhol eventually reunited for a joint exhibition at Gallerie D. Brussels. In September 2004, Pietro Psaier was asked by Our Lady of Malibu Church, high above the Malibu coastline to exhibit his highly acclaimed series The Passion of the Christ. Created to accompany Mel Gibson's film of the same title, the series of sixteen acrylics on canvas are the last known works to have been created by the artist and were sold by John Nicholson Auctioneers in December 2006. As a result of the Indian Ocean earthquake which struck on December 26th 2004 and the Tsunami which followed, Pietro Psaier's remote beach house on the coast of Sri Lanka was swept away and his body was never found.