World famous artist Jean-Michel Basquiat’s contributions to art have expanded beyond his own paintbrush.
A native of Brooklyn, New York, a native of Haitian and Puerto Rican descent, his experience fueled the creativity behind his work that touched on a social and cultural narrative that is still relevant to this day.
More than 30 years after his death, at the age of 27, Basquiat’s influence in art continues to be of interest to those who are inspired and interested in his work – including his family. His sister, Janine Hrevo and Lisan Basquiat, along with stepmother Nora Fitzpatrick, initially thought of organizing an exhibition of Basquiat’s work in 2017, but they shelved the idea until 2020, as the world reeled from protests against social injustice and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The family’s vision has since been turned into a reality by Jean-Michel Basquiat: The King’s Pleasure. Displays It features 200 paintings, drawings and various collections of the late artist that were previously hidden from view. saturday opening, Exhibition It spans over 15,000 square feet in the Starrett-Lehigh Building in Manhattan and includes a re-creation of Basquiat’s New York City studio, nightclub and rooms of his childhood home to give a glimpse into his life through the eyes of his friends and family. Upon entering, shepherds hear Basquiat’s voice reciting the Book of Genesis, a chapter in the Bible detailing the creation of mankind.
“The topic is really Jean-Michel as a human being,” Herveaux said. “Before he was an artist, he was a boy. He was a brother. He was a nephew – and we try to show that the human side of Jean-Michel and where he came from, his childhood and our personal relationships with him.”
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Basquiat grew up in a family that fully embraced her culture and identity. Many of his works from the early 1980s – including “Gold Griot”, “Big Joy” and “Hollywood Africans” – speak about the experiences and images of blacks in society. Throughout his career, many of his works included graffiti, such as “Portrait”, which helped graffiti gain fame in the elite art world.
Basquiat’s art was first published in a group exhibition in 1980 called The Times Square Show. In 1981, he created The Red Kings, one of his many influential works. She appeared on the crown, which became a signature in his paintings.
Basquiat has collaborated with many artists, including old friend Andy Warhol, whom Basquiat painted side-by-side in Dos Cabezas in 1982. Basquiat also shared his interests with artist Shenge Ka Pharaoh regarding African ideologies and issues facing black communities.
Being a Hatian and a Puerto Rican, Basquiat often described his experiences as a black man, including the challenges of racism and his fear of being broken into by the police. Despite his success, Herevo said her brother often had difficulties getting into a taxi due to the color of his skin. She also said that her brother was deeply affected in 1983 death For Michael Stewart, a black man who died after police arrested him, accusing him of writing graffiti on the wall of a New York City subway station.
“It shocked him a lot,” said Herevo. “He stated that he thought it could be him. Whatever thoughts he had in his mind… he paints about them. He paints about them.”
Decades after his work was first shown in galleries, his art continues to speak to others facing the same obstacles he has.
“I see a generation of people who are challenged by the way this global culture deals with racism and class — you know, social issues,” said Lisanne Basquiat, “and I think those issues are upsetting to young people, and Jean-Michel talks to those.”
Despite his hardships, Basquiat used his work to raise the bar for blacks. The gallery’s reference to “The King” stems from one of his famously crowned paintings, an icon that influenced many other black artists, including Jay-Z and Sitorius Big. Besides hip-hop, Lisan Basquiat said her brother’s influence permeates through fashion, sports and music from all types.
“Jean-Michel was one of the very few people to claim the crown early on – not to claim it was king,” she said.
Lisan Basquiat said that even for those unfamiliar with the artist, viewers will learn her brother’s resilience and determination, while gaining insight into the human who “had a dream and pursued it.” She added that she hopes this exhibition will spark inspiration and appreciation for the family’s heritage and ancestral roots.
Lisanne Basquiat said: “Jean-Michel was an artist who gave you what he had, unfiltered and unedited, and a lot of us are filtering and editing — and that gets in the way of ways in which we can be completely real, that we can express ourselves. And so what I like that people take is In understanding that it is possible to do so… to see what happens when you go out of your way.”
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