Schlumpy Funk is an art movement that is alive and vibrant in Pittsburgh. Intuition and serendipity play a large part in the creation of Schlumpy Funk Art.

Andy Warhol’s parents Andrej and Julia immigrated to Pittsburgh in 1921 from a small village called Mikova, in present day Slovakia. Julia was an artist who inspired Andy from a young age. When Andy was growing up in Pittsburgh, he and Julia would go door to door selling flower arrangements Julia made from tin cans and crepe paper. Both Julia and Andy were inspired by their Carpatho-Rusyn heritage. Julia sang traditional Rusyn Songs and taught Andy the art of colorful Easter egg dying called Pysanky. Much of Andy’s early artwork incorporated Julia’s handwriting.

Laura Jean McLaughlin is a ceramic sculptor, printmaker and mosaic artist. Her carved porcelain mural entitled JULIA located on an exterior wall of the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, was inspired by Andy Warhol’s mother.

McLaughlin’s mural shares Julia’s story and acknowledges the influence she had on her son Andy.