The one-piece exhibition of Basquiat's 'Untitled,' which is regarded as one of his most powerful paintings, will be accompanied by a series of events including talks, film screening and theater
Basquiat is coming home to Brooklyn - at least for a short while. Starting January 26, the Brooklyn-born graffiti artist Jean-Michel Basquiat's 1982 skull painting "Untitled" will be on view at the Brooklyn Museum through March 11. The one-piece exhibition "One Basquiat" is made possible by art collector Yusaku Maezawa and will be accompanied by public programming.
"I am thrilled to be sending Basquiat's masterpiece home to Brooklyn," said Mr. Maezawa. "It is my hope that through the exhibition and extensive programming accompanying it, the young people of the borough will be inspired by their local hero, just as he has inspired so many of us around the world."
After a world tour, "Untitled" will eventually be housed in a museum that Mr. Maezawa is building in his hometown Chiba, Japan. Created in 1982, "Untitled" ranks among Basquiat's most powerful paintings.
"One Basquiat" will be the centerpiece of the Museum's programming during Black History Month. The event series will begin with Target First Saturday on February 3 and a special talk hosted by curator Eugenie Tsai discussing the exhibition. On February 15, Brooklyn Museum will host a second talk, "A Tribute to Basquiat." Contemporary artists including graffiti artist and Creative Director of Def Jam Cey Adams and photographer Maripol speak on artwork by Basquiat that has inspired them and their practice, as well as Basquiat's legacy. On March 8, Little Cinema presents a screening of Julian Schnabel's "Basquiat" layered with live theatrical performances.
"We are extremely grateful for Mr. Maezawa's generosity and for this tremendous opportunity to present this stunning painting in Basquiat's hometown," said Anne Pasternak, the Brooklyn Museum's Shelby White and Leon Levy Director. "'One Basquiat' is the continuation of a relationship the museum has had with the life and art of Jean-Michel Basquiat, from his early visits as a child to our recent exhibitions."
"One Basquiat" is on view at Brooklyn Museum from January 26 - March 11, 2018.
