From graffitist to American art icon

"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.

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