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Keith Haring | Jean-Michel Basquiat: Crossing Lines opens at NGV

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Crossing Lines, a joint exhibition of the work of groundbreaking US artists Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960 to 1988) and Keith Haring (1958 to 1990), has opened at the National Gallery of Victoria International.

The exhibition is loosely a dialogue between two artists who were friends and collaborators in the heady artistically fecund days of 1980s New York. Their work examined, reflected and was informed by such issues as racism, sexuality, AIDS and poverty, in the middle of a vibrant artistic milieu peopled by the likes of Andy Warhol, Grace Jones, Vivienne Westwood, Debbie Harry and Madonna.

Jean-Michel Basquiat American 1960−88 Untitled (Pollo Frito) 1982 synthetic polymer paint, oilstick and enamel on canvas 152.4 x 306.1 cm Private European collection, courtesy of John Sayegh-Belchatowski © Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York

Jean-Michel Basquiat
American 1960−88
Untitled (Pollo Frito) 1982
synthetic polymer paint, oilstick and enamel on canvas 152.4 x 306.1 cm
Private European collection, courtesy of John Sayegh-Belchatowski © Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York

The exhibition seems like a natural sequel to a previous blockbuster NGV collaboration – Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei –which closed in April 2016 having seen just shy of 400,000 visitors stream through the gallery doors. As two of the most creative and important figures to follow in Warhol’s footsteps – his artistic offspring if you like – Haring and Basquiat were obvious subjects for this major exhibition.

This world premiere is the first time that Basquiat has been presented in a major Australian exhibition, and it’s also the largest collection of Haring’s work ever displayed here.

Crossing Lines

Keith Haring
American 1958–90
Prophets of Rage 1988
synthetic polymer paint on canvas 304.8 x 457.2 cm
The Keith Haring Foundation, New York
© Keith Haring Foundation

In a comprehensive and wide ranging display there are over 200 artworks, which include art created in public spaces, paintings, sculptures, objects, photographs and works on paper.

Tucked away in the middle of Crossing Lines there is also a photographic display of the works of photographer Maripol, to further contextualise the respective oeuvres of Basquiat and Haring.

An exhibition this impressive and extensive also includes myriad sketches, informative notebooks, diary entries and random creations, a rare few of which may induce the cynic to question their merits – wondering whether they were really intended to be taken as deeply serious contributions to the conversation or were merely scattered doodles later pounced upon by enthusiasts and completists. But the sheer number and quality of the major pieces more than mitigates any sense of the emperor’s new clothes. Particularly the almost unbearably poignant painting that Haring created as a tribute after his friend’s death, Pile of Crowns for Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Crossing Lines

Keith Haring
American 1958–90
Pile of Crowns for Jean-Michel Basquiat 1988
synthetic polymer paint on canvas 304.8 x 304.8 x 304.8 cm
The Keith Haring Foundation, New York
© Keith Haring Foundation

And the video footage of a young Haring at work in the subways of New York, finding empty advertising spaces and creating iconic and prolific images in the time it takes a police officer to catch up with him and make an arrest is diverting and genuinely educational.

The NGV has seen some remarkably successful exhibitions over the last few years, with Van Gogh and the Seasons and MoMA at NGV also drawing huge crowds.

Crossing Lines

Jean-Michel Basquiat
American 1960−88
Ishtar 1983
synthetic polymer paint, wax crayon and photocopy collage on canvas and wood
182.9 x 352.0 cm (overall)
Collection Ludwig, Ludwig Forum für Internationale Kunst, Aachen
© Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York

Crossing Lines runs from 1 December 2019 to 13 April 2020 and, judging by the interest it has already inspired, it will be no surprise if the NGV has another hit on its hands.

For further information on the exhibition and opening times click here.

 

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