The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Thu, June 30, 2022 | 13:27
Fortune Telling
From graffitist to American art icon
Posted : 2013-02-27 18:57
Updated : 2013-02-27 18:57
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
'Procession' (1986) by Jean-Michel Basquiat                                                              / Courtesy of the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat,                                                                                               ADAGP Paris and ARS New York
"Procession" (1986) by Jean-Michel Basquiat
/ Courtesy of the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat,
ADAGP Paris and ARS New York

By Kwon Mee-yoo

At his death at the age of 27, American painter Jean-Michel Basquiat left behind a body of work that exudes raw energy and captures the essence of American subculture and the neo-expressionist movement.


The Kukje Gallery in Sogyeok-dong, Seoul, is exhibiting a collection of the works of the iconic graffiti artist, with his earlier works displayed at the K2 exhibition room and his later works at K3.

Born in 1960 in Brooklyn, New York, Basquiat was considered an established artist by the time he turned 20, with the city's high-profile galleries competing to pick up his work that originated from the city's streets walls. He also attracted attention with his collaborations with other artists like Andy Warhol and Keith Haring.

Basquiat seemed to be at his artistic peak when he died of a drug overdose in 1988, one year after the death of his mentor Warhol.

Yoo Jin-sang, professor of Kaywon School of Art & Design, compared Basquait's artistic career as a "flame" that glowed very brightly but also very briefly.

"Basquiat's works reflect the social aspects of America in the 1980s as well as the evolution of art and styles at the time. He lived a short life, but he was at the center of the American art scene," Yoo said.

Basquiat's upbringing as an African-American child raised by divorced parents is reflected in his works. He lived on the streets, playing music and taking drugs, for a couple of years before his first exhibition in 1980. Critical acclaim, however, came very quickly for him.

Basquiat's works were definitely influenced by Warhol but also Pablo Picasso and Cy Twombly, Yoo said.

"The rush of new media that began in the 1990s had compromised the weight paintings held in the art scene. But now trends have gone the full circle and paintings are influential as they once worked, and this is a great time to evaluate Basquiat's works in a new context," Yoo said.

The earliest works on exhibit are graffiti style paintings on canvas.

They were considered groundbreaking when they first appeared in New York galleries as spray paint had hardly been used on high-profile art work before then. Some of his other works are simply scribbles.

"He painted many crowns in his works and it can be interpreted as his effort to beat the hierarchy in society and artistic circles," Yoo said.

His works developed into an assemblage style like "Procession" (1986), in which he attached acrylic and wood reliefs on a wood panel, giving the piece more depth.

Later works on K3 are larger and more pictorial. The paintings brought out simple materiality from the use of color, according to the curator.

It is ironical that Basquiat now has become one of the most sought after contemporary artists, though he began as a noncommercial street artist. His graffiti-like 1981 work "Untitled" was sold for $16 million at the Phillips art sale last year.

Admission is free. For more information, visit www.kukjegallery.com or call (02) 735-8449.

Emailmeeyoo@ktimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
LG
LG
  • Bodies found in missing family's car in Wando
  • How I lost my period after shooting my first 'body profile'
  • Korea looks to Europe to diversify trade partners as China's growth slows
  • Luna collapse causes chaos
  • Yoon, first lady attend gala dinner hosted by King of Spain
  • [INTERVIEW] 'Asia-Pacific region has potential to lead global decarbonization sector'
  • Korea's first NATO summit to show expanded global role: experts
  • Korea will stick to principles despite China's objection, PM says
  • SK Bioscience gets final approval for Korea's 1st COVID-19 vaccine
  • Inflation expectations in S. Korea hit 10-year high in June
  • [INTERVIEW] With unusual nicknames and backgrounds, MIRAE eyes becoming next big K-pop star [INTERVIEW] With unusual nicknames and backgrounds, MIRAE eyes becoming next big K-pop star
  • [INTERVIEW] Jean-Michel Othoniel's glass garden of enchantment 'is for everybody' [INTERVIEW] Jean-Michel Othoniel's glass garden of enchantment 'is for everybody'
  • Girl group aespa to perform in 'Good Morning America' 2022 Summer Concert Series Girl group aespa to perform in 'Good Morning America' 2022 Summer Concert Series
  • [INTERVIEW] Park Hae-soo talks about differentiating his character in 'Money Heist' remake [INTERVIEW] Park Hae-soo talks about differentiating his character in 'Money Heist' remake
  • Park Hae-il 'honored' to play war hero Admiral Yi Sun-sin in 'Hansan' Park Hae-il 'honored' to play war hero Admiral Yi Sun-sin in 'Hansan'
DARKROOM
  • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000 [PHOTOS]

    Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000 [PHOTOS]

  • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

  • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

  • Poor hit harder by economic crisis

    Poor hit harder by economic crisis

  • Roland Garros 2022

    Roland Garros 2022

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group