Taking place in the Starrett-Lehigh Building in Chelsea, the exhibition is organised and curated by the late artist’s family, “Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure” offers a new perspective on Basquiat’s life and art. Associated with the New York arts scene of the 1980s until his untimely death, Basquait was a conduit of creativity that has seen his works reach eye-watering levels and at auction where they have obtained record-breaking prices.
The exhibition forgoes the monetary aspects and dives into the great artist’s life and works through previously unseen pieces, family albums and is curated by Basquiat’s sisters, Lisane Basquiat and Jeanine Heriveaux, who have managed the Basquiat Estate since 2013,
The revolutionary artworks of Basquiat propelled him to meteoric fame in the 1980s through his chronicling of the world around him as told by his poetic, visceral and transgressive pieces that combine elements of abstraction and graffiti to provide commentary on subjects such as racism and class struggle.
The brilliant exhibition boasts over 200 artworks and artefacts that have never been previously shown to the public across the 15,000 square-foot venue. Designed by acclaimed architect David Adjaye, the space is transformed into the life and times of an artist who has transcended his art and life.
Adjaye created synergetic galleries that highlight the artwork in paced, sectioned chapters, each focusing on a specific period of Basquiat’s life.
As we pass through the various parts we are treated to not both a curatorial and experiential marvel but also an incredible glimpse into the artist himself. We start in 1960 where we see Basquiat’s birth announcement before moving through his formative years (his family living room recreated that we, quite literally, move through) and witness the cultural and racial influences that influenced him such as his father’s jazz record collection.
As the exhibition progressed we witness the evolution of an artist in such detail that one can feel his presence. From undated drawings taken from adolescent sketchbooks to videos of his sister Jeanine telling the story of how her brother persuaded her to jump off an armoire with an umbrella and try to fly like Mary Poppins, an intimate and enthralling portrait is created. Thoroughly immersive, the details link the artwork and artist in a deeply profound way.
Through the works on show we can see the evolution of the visual language that Basquiat so masterfully created. Much like an infant learning to read, we see the visual vocabulary evolving. At first, individual phrases and words that seem unrelated but are then expertly woven into the narratives that his work expresses. Skulls. Crowns. Chemical symbols. All of the motifs that we associate with the modern-day great begin to morph together from the seemingly disparate into coherent, enthralling and engaging works whose energy, skill and execution is simply amazing.
The exhibition builds up to 1982 which was the year in which Basquiat exploded into the art scene and is portrayed in the gallery entitled ‘World Famous’. Here we see an incredible selection of vibrant, powerful works with such raw energy and skill that they are simply astounding.
Three areas in particular are moments that inspire: the aforementioned living and dining room of the artist’s childhood home in Boerum Hill, his Great Jones Street studio and the Palladium nightclub.
In the Great Jones Street Studio, where Basquiat lived from 1983 until his death, canvases are spread out on the ground and paintings lean casually against the walls surrounded by stacks of Basquiat’s personal VHS collection. Paint and paintbrushes are scattered across the room as we see the very act of creation unfolding before our own eyes.
Finally the exhibition crescendos into a jaw-dropping recreation of the Palladium nightclub where the artist would hang-out with the great and good of the transgressive New York Scene. We couldn’t help but be taken in by the heady mix of music, art and video screens that displayed photos of Basquiat at the club, partying with friends as a Blondie song plays overhead. “Nu-Nile,”. What’s more a 10 metre long masterpiece, commissioned by the nightclub in 1985, spans an entire wall with a faux bar with chandeliers and industrial, purple lit lamps festoon the ceiling. Quite simply amazing.
Befitting of an artist who continues to bring so much joy to the world the exhibition ends on a placard that says “He was huge energy entering this world.”
Not only was the wealth of work on display inspiring but the execution and curatorial brilliance, mixed with staging that is unlike anything we have ever seen, was simply outstanding. From the team at Andipa this is without doubt a must see! Explore our collection of Jean-Michel Basquiat authentic prints for sale at Andipa Editions.