The storied life of Jean-Michel Basquiat is commonly stretched and pulled between tales of his mentorship by other artists (an attempt to discredit or downplay his artistic abilities), or his hyper proximity to celebrities and nightlife culture. Many more conversations teeter on the details of his tragic death at 27 in 1988. None however, tend to celebrate his ground breaking influence of artistic expression that fueled the contemporary art scene then and now. The mark left by Jean-Michel Basquiat is one of immense impact on multiple levels from birth to death.
Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure is the first art exhibit that has celebrated his life and work with the light and recognition Basquiat deserves. Comprised of never before seen pieces from his family’s private collection, this is a must for any art enthusiast that wants a genuine look into the legacy Basquiat left behind. Memorabilia items, archival footage and other ephemera range in scale and subject, from stunning recreations of his Great Jones Street studio apartment (projection mapped in collaboration with Fray Studio) and his childhood home, to the walls lined with family interviews and home videotapes. While there are no plans announced for this exhibit to travel outside of New York City as of yet, it’s location in the very neighborhood Jean-Michel called home is an integral part of the experience.
The exhibit is up through June 2022 in Chelsea at the Starrett-Lehigh Building.
