Jean-Michel Basquiat is, for me, one of the most influential artists, someone whose work played a part in pushing me from graffiti into painting on canvas. Before then, for our group and myself, it was more about style and working with letters, whether tags or ‘full pieces’. Still, I always felt connected to his early tags and messages under SAMO, which he and Al Diaz left across New York City.
For many, especially in my generation, Basquiat’s work was first encountered through the movie Basquiat, directed by Julian Schnabel, a painter who actually knew him personally. While not entirely accurate, the movie offered a compelling introduction to who Basquiat was, his talent and what he achieved.
Today, many of his most recognisable motifs have entered mainstream culture, printed across clothing and accessories through collaborations with brands like Uniqlo and H&M, as well as appearing on everything from phone cases and socks to Dr Martens boots. Much of this is made possible through the Jean-Michel Basquiat Foundation. While many people might not know the artist behind the imagery, I still see it as a good gateway, an entry point into discovering his work, his life and contemporary art in general.
To this day, every time I visit Vienna, I think back to his solo exhibition at the Albertina Museum, one of the most memorable shows I’ve seen there. So when we read that Basquiat’s work was coming to Denmark, we got excited.
Now on view at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, the exhibition Headstrong focuses on a defining element of Basquiat’s practice: the head. It is the first comprehensive exhibition dedicated to this subject within his practice.
That fascination can be traced back to childhood when his mother gave him a copy of Gray’s Anatomy, sparking a lifelong interest in anatomy. As Basquiat himself noted, many of his works began with the head.
Completed in rich oil stick, the works on view carry an immediacy and raw intensity, with some of them marked by traces of their making, flecks of dirt, and shoe scuffs, reflecting how they were often created on the floor. Many of these pieces were kept private during his lifetime, and together they offer a more personal insight into both his process and thinking.
Running till May 17, the exhibition centres on the years 1981 to 1983, widely considered one of the most prolific and experimental periods of Basquiat’s career.
With spring finally settling in, it’s a good excuse to revisit one of our favourite museums. Just under an hour by train from the city, Louisiana remains an easy escape. And perhaps, on the way, you’ll spot a painted train covered with graffiti: a reminder of where it all began for him, too.
In the meantime, explore our city guide, where we’ve dedicated a section to some of our favourite galleries in town.
More info about the exhibition at Louisiana’s website here.
Curious to learn more?
Jean-Michel Basquiat: Great Art Explained
The chaotic brilliance of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat – Jordana Moore Saggese
