Jean-Michel Basquiat: Made in Japan
Discovering Jean-Michel Basquiat in Tokyo
On my recent trip to Tokyo in October 2019, I visited the Mori Arts Center and chanced upon the Jean-Michel Basquiat: Made in Japan exhibition.
I’d admit, it was the first time I had seen the name ‘Jean-Michel Basquiat‘ cos LSQ is still art-basic like that. I decided to catch the exhibition because I find famous people who died at age 27 compelling (I’m cliched like that!), plus Google told me he sold the most expensive work by a US artist, and the painting was right there in Mori Arts Center!
At first glance, JMB’s works look like graffiti and / or children’s paintings:
However, what struck me was how prolific and consistent the guy was though he only painted for less than 10 years in total (since he died at 27). The exhibition at Mori had 130 art pieces, most of them huge in size and scale. Each piece was dripping with raw emotions and energy and I can almost picture (a drug-fueled) JMB frenetically painting each one.
I think the beauty of JMB’s works is not his mastery of the craft (like the classical painters), but really their ability to intrigue, influence, and resonate with people, even 30 years after his death.
I really enjoyed the exhibition and felt like another big piece of wool over my plebeian eyes have been shed, thank you Mori Arts Center for putting together this splendid exhibition. <3
Before I wipe clean……
Although the exhibition in Tokyo has ended, LSQ googled and earmarked the following museums one can go to see works by Basquiat:
- The Broad Museum, Los Angeles.
- The Whitney Museum, New York City.
- The Daros Collection, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Soho Contemporary Art Gallery, New York City.
- MACBA, Barcelona, Spain.
Guess I have to plan a trip to the states one day soon :]]] Also, I will next share more about another awesome artist I discovered this trip, please stay tuned!