These Historic Photographs, Shot on Just One Role of Film, Are
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Jean-Michel Basquiat: An Intimate Portrait The photographs in this exhibition short years. The accompanying text reveal an intimate look at the panels, written by Taylor, document the friendship between artists friendship the two shared and also serve Nicholas Taylor and Jean-Michel to contextualize the historical signifi- Basquiat, a camaraderie that was cance of Basquiat in the early 1980s. born under the pulsating lights of Taylor’s personal revelations and New York’s famed Mudd Club in memories are shared with great candor. lower Manhattan in January Looking back on these images, twenty 1979. The Mudd Club was a bee- years later, there is a subtle aura of hive of creativity, where the likes predetermination for Basquiat. His of Fab Five Freddy, David Byrne (Talking Heads), actions and poses, captured by Taylor, appear aloof Keith Haring, and Madonna frequented before they or casual upon first glance. These are, in fact, rarely became famous. These historic photographs, shot publicized visual records of Basquiat’s character and on just one role of film, are being exhibited and trav- use of body language to express his emotions and eled for the first time in their entirety. These images personality, which, in turn, reflect his serendipitous are portals into the life of an artist who struggle for fame and respect. was on the threshold of taking the art These historic Basquiat painted as he lived – full throt- world by storm. Countless essays and tle – everything, all the time. He had reviews have been written about photographs, little sense of self-control, nor did he Basquiat and his work. This exhibition shot on just seek out any realm of moderation. In focuses on the portrait of a man, an one role of film, retrospect, his paintings are aggressive artist, and, most importantly, a friend. are exhibited and fragmented, radiating nervous Taylor’s and Basquiat’s friendship and traveled energy and enthusiasm for the chaotic endured many years, through the ups for the world of which he was a part. Existing and downs of Basquiat's rise to notori- first time. simultaneously in his work is a sense of excitement, ety in the art world until his untimely death in 1988. imagination, and exploration of visual language. His These striking images, taken by Taylor, of a nineteen- frustration in trying to assert himself as a black year-old Jean-Michel Basquiat, unspoiled by the artist into a predominantly white art culture was con- art-star celebrity that was to reveal itself in just a few tinuously filtered into the context of his work..