A thrilling exhibition (2017) that drops you right in the middle of New York in the late 1970s and early 1980s, where Jean-Michel Basquiat came of age and honed his craft. From the authentic and instinctive voice of his graffitti through to the larger paintings where he depicted his obsessions and illustrated new knowledge and learning, this is a comprehensive exhibition.
The Barbican Gallery, with its large downstairs area surrounded above by a balcony and series of rooms, was ideal to show Basquiat’s life’s work in a series of chapters. One room shows a film, Downtown 81 (2000), that Basquiat starred in. Visitors to the exhibition crowd in, many watching it in its entirety. The collaborations with Warhol are well-known, the work with hip hop artistes and other musicians perhaps less so, so it’s great that they feature prominently. And what a treat to see so many photographs and objects from friends’ and colleagues’ collections, in some cases on public display for the first time.
The mixture of this archive material and Basquiat’s artwork is effective in contextualising his work and creating atmosphere – it adds to the feeling of excitement and edginess.
Downstairs some of the records and books that were inspiration and source material for Basquiat are included in the exhibition so we can see just what he was thinking and learning about. It’s typical of this exhibition: revealing the backstory and making links. And perhaps piquing the interest of a largely young, fashionable audience.
Then the chapters of the exhibition are pleasingly summarised in a pocket-sized booklet you can take home.
“A suitably intense and vivid snapshot”, “one of 2017’s best exhibitions”
according to the Guardian (Guide, 2018 p. 4). I agree.
References
Basquiat: Boom for Real (2017) [Exhibition]. Barbican Art Gallery, London, 21 September 2017 – 28 January 2018
Downtown 81 (2000) Directed by Edo Bertoglio [Film], New York City, New York: Zeitgeist Films
The Guardian: Guide (2018) ‘The 10’ 13-19 January, p.4)
Sort it out 