Untitled (Basquiat)

Jean-Michel Basquiat, c.1965 / Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure © / Jean-Michel Basquiat, 1983

I had the pleasure of visiting the Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure © exhibition at the Starrett Lehigh building in West Chelsea a few times. The exhibit is extraordinary and the first one presented by Jean-Michel’s family. It provokes a wealth of feelings: joy, playfulness, shame, sorrow, nostalgia all wrapped up in inspiration and creativity.

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jawbone of an Ass, 1982 / Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled (Ajax), 1982 / Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled (Edgar), n.d.

Over 200 rarely or never-before-seen works are showcased in an immersive and very intimate environment. You become part of his life, and creative process, for a glorious few hours. The recreation of the artist’s 57 Great Jones Street Studio is beautifully haunting, while the collection of videos, books, childhood sketches, artworks and personal items allow you to connect deeply with Jean-Michel Basquiat the person.

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled (Cowboy and Indian), 1982

Jean-Michel’s sisters, Lisane & Jeanine Basquiat, curated the exhibit with all works from the family’s collection, the impetus being that his works needed to be seen and told from his family’s point of view. This exhibit is truly a celebration of his life, legacy and voice.

Interior views of exhibition. Jean-Michel Basquiat works displayed: Untitled (Quick Cash Shoe Business), n.d. / Untitled (Inquisition), n.d. / Unitled (Falso), n.d. / Untitled (Rammelzee), n.d. / Untitled (100 Yen) / Untitled, 1982 / Untitled (Jimmy the Eggman), n.d. / Untitled (Ter Borch: Boy Removing Fleas From Dog), 1984–1988

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kalik, 1988 / Interior view / Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled (Bird of God), n.d.

The exhibition is on view through Labor Day 2022. A show not to be missed, go check it out!

As Jean-Michel illustrates in his works on view: Oh boy! Boom!

Learn more about the King Pleasure © exhibit in NYC

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Cabeza, 1982 / Untitled, 1983–84 / Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled, 1984

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled, 1984

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Tuxedo, n.d. / Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled (600 Dollars in Dimes), n.d. / Detail of Tuxedo

Detail of Untitled (600 Dollars in Dimes)

These paintings were originally installed in the Michael Todd VIP room of the Palladium nightclub:

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Nu-Nile, 1985 / Detail of Untitled (Palladium), 1985 / Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled (Palladium), 1985

One of Jean-Michel’s last paintings, Dry Cell. Painted in 1988, he gifted it to his father Gerard.

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Dry Cell, 1988 / Detail of Dry Cell, 1988

Originally published at culture.tech

I am the Design and Development Lead at CultureTech, a software startup with a mission to Open Up Art. I have a passion for learning and love design systems. Builder at heart.

For articles on arts & culture, sign up for our newsletter or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

All photographs: Christopher Vicini