Basquiat's Former Dealer on the Making of an Art World Icon

"When we were invited to contribute a few words to this book, we realized that this is a project that goes beyond an overview or a specific aspect of Basquiat's multifaceted art, executed in a few short years. Sixty-six years after his birth and 38 years after his premature death, his short but incredibly intense life had an impact on his generation and those that followed. Without his contribution we cannot imagine today's art world. The development of globalization and digitalization-along with a growing cultural focus on distinct identities and exceptional individuals-has helped spread his influence well beyond the art world."

"Artists who become part of art history are pioneers, as they change our idea of what art should and could be and how it should be viewed. Not only did Basquiat shift our understanding of art, he also shifted our perception of history and society in general. His work has become part of our visual memory but also provides insights into unnoticed collective memories. By merging images, symbols, and words, he perhaps wasn't so much telling stories as he was retelling history or facts."

"Cy Twombly once said that his own work leaves room for interpretation-as stories generally do. Jean-Michel's work, in contrast, does not really do that, even though we think so and we occasionally still drive ourselves nearly crazy trying to interpret and understand. Instead, he bluntly shows us his facts, topics, and opinions-as little children do in their drawings, without the influence of a trained visual memory. Either we understand what we see or we don't, whether we want to know his truth or we don't."

Basquiat’s short but intense life left a lasting impact on his generation and those that followed. His influence extends beyond the art world through globalization, digitalization, and a growing focus on distinct identities and exceptional individuals. Artists who become part of art history act as pioneers by changing what art should be and how it should be viewed. Basquiat shifted understanding of art and also perception of history and society. His work merges images, symbols, and words, retelling history or facts rather than simply telling stories. His art presents blunt facts, topics, and opinions, leaving less room for interpretation than works that function like stories.

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