student exhibition guide

STUDENT EXHIBITION GUIDE
Explore different artworks in the exhibition Jean-Michel Basquiat: Now’s the Time using this guide.
WHO: Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988), born in Brooklyn, New York. His father was Haitian
born and his mother was of Puerto Rican descent. He was one of the most groundbreaking
artists of the 1980’s and was a celebrated artist by the time he was 20.
WHAT: He developed his own distinctive visual language – a mix of images and words that he painted and collaged to create large-scale paintings. His art explores challenging themes, from personal identity to racism. He was heavily influenced by jazz and hip hop culture.
WHERE: He grew up in Brooklyn, NY and by the age of 17 he introduced himself to the
downtown New York City art scene with conceptual graffiti (words).
WHEN: Jean-Michel Basquiat’s short career spanned only 11 years. The bulk of the work
in the exhibition was created between 1980 and 1988. He died at the age of 27.
WHY: As you explore the artwork of Jean-Michel Basquiat, ask yourself, why is Basquiat’s
work important and relevant today, to you, to Toronto, and to the world?
Self Portrait, 1983. Acrylic on paper on board, 91.5 x 61 cm. Collection Thaddaeus Ropac, Paris * Salzburg © The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York.
The Streets as Studio – artists are inspired by where they live – places they visit/explore.
“I don’t think about art when I am working. I try to think about life.” ­–JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
As a child, Jean-Michel’s mom took him to museums and art galleries in New York City. He was
inspired by city life and what he saw every day: cars, trains, planes, sidewalk games and graffiti,
all which he drew in his early art works. At age 17, he started spray-painting words and messages
on buildings. He began to work with material found on the street, like foam, discarded windows
and doors, paper and canvas.
LOOKING CLOSELY:
• Check out the many sketches, drawings and spaces in this room of the exhibition.
• Make a list of all the things that inspired Basquiat from the “street” and city life.
• Are there one or more images that you see repeated in this space? Why do you think this is?
CONNECTIONS:
• Think about where you live: are there buildings, houses, trees, buses, cars, subways?
Is it busy, noisy, or quiet?
• Write down five words that describe the environment where you live. If you were to create
a work of art inspired by where you live, what would it include?
Untitled/Car Crash, 1981. Acrylic and oil on canvas, 104.1 x 179.1 cm. Private Collection. © The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York.
Heroes and Saints
“The black person is the protagonist in most of my paintings. I realized that
I didn’t see many paintings with black people in them.” –JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Basquiat challenged traditional histories from which the voices and accomplishments of black
people were left out. He created images that honoured black men, depicting them as heroes and
saints (with halos and crowns). In this room, Basquiat’s works focus on important black athletes
and boxers. To him, the boxing ring was one realm in which a black man could claim victory over
a white man and be applauded for it.
LOOKING CLOSELY:
• Choose three things about this boxer that surprises you.
• What do you think the body position of this boxer and the face reveal?
• What message do you think that Basquiat was trying to communicate to the viewer in this work?
Untitled, 1982. Acrylic and oil on linen, 193 x 239 cm.
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam.
© The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed
by Artestar, New York.
CONNECTIONS:
• Basquiat was inspired by boxers and he saw them as heroes. Is there someone that you admire
or look up to? What words would you use to describe that person?
• Draw a shape that you find in this work.
• Fill this shape with the words/qualities/characteristics of a person you admire or look up to.
Reclaiming Histories
“I think there are a lot of people who are neglected in art. Black people are never
really portrayed realistically, not even portrayed in modern art.” –JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Basquiat faced racism every day – he was a celebrated artist, but outside the art world he could
not even catch a cab because he was black. His artworks present histories of people who faced
violence and oppression, including slavery and colonization. Themes such as capitalism, power,
and police brutality found in his work are important and meaningful in today’s society as well.
Obnoxious Liberals, 1982. Acrylic, oil stick and spray paint
on canvas, 72.7 x 259.1 cm. The Eli and Edythe L. Broad
Collection. © The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Licensed by Artestar, New York.
LOOKING CLOSELY:
• This work has three figures in it. What do you notice about each of them, how are they dressed,
who do you think they represent?
• Basquiat’s art includes images and words. Make a list of the words that you find in this work.
What do you think they represent?
• The figure in the middle has the words “NOT FOR SALE” on it. Who might this figure represent?
What does it mean to be ”not for sale”?
• What message do you think Basquiat is trying to communicate in this work?
CONNECTIONS:
• What title would you give this work and why?
• Write down three questions you would want to ask the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat about this work?
Dualities
“I am not a black artist. I am an artist.” –JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Basquiat is often described as being part of two worlds, both an insider and an outsider.
What do you think this means? What two worlds was Basquiat part of? The art works in
this section of the exhibition explore dualities, bringing together ideas and objects that
don’t seem to fit together to create a new whole.
Dark Milk, 1986. Acrylic, Xerox collage and paper
collage on canvas, 172.5 x 219.5 cm. Private
Collection. © The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Licensed by Artestar, New York.
LOOKING CLOSELY:
• Take some time to take examine all the different elements of the work. What three things
stand out to you?
• There are two figures in the centre of the work, what do you think they represent?
Does the title give you any clues?
• Look at the various words that Basquiat has included with the images. Which words are
crossed out? Why do you think Basquiat chose to cross them out?
• This work is in the section of the gallery that explores the concept of dualities. What two
(or more) ideas is Basquiat putting together in this work?
• What message do you think Basquiat is communicating through this work?
CONNECTIONS:
• How does the idea of duality or a double identity fit in with how you think about your identity?
Do you identify yourself as just one thing or is your identity made up of many things?
• Brainstorm words and ideas that make up your identity, or who you are. What contributes
to your identity? Your family? Culture? Language? Likes and dislikes?
• If you were to make a work of art that expressed the duality of your identity, what would it
look like? Sketch it out below.
Sampling and Scratching: Words, Music and Collage
“The more I paint, the more I like everything.” –JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Basquiat was inspired by everything around him, including art history, graffiti, jazz, rap, punk
and pop culture, medical textbooks and comic books. Music was a huge influence, especially
jazz. Basquiat was particularly inspired by jazz musicians Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie.
He collaged images, and words or phrases (that were often hard to understand) to create
works that had many layers and meanings.
LOOKING CLOSELY:
• What catches your attention about this work?
• What words would you use to describe this painting?
• Make a list of all the words you see, next divide them into categories (names, body parts,
words I don’t know). Why do you think Basquiat included them in this art work?
Why do you think Basquiat crossed out or painted over some of the words?
Horn Players, 1983. Three panels: acrylic and oilstick
on canvas, mounted on wood supports, each 244
x 61 cm. © The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Licensed by Artestar, New York.
CONNECTIONS:
• Is there a musician, band, musical performer or style of music that you connect with?
• Make a list of words that describes the way their music sounds. Make another list that describes
the way the musician/performer looks. Make a third list describing how the music makes you feel.
• Take these words and make a three-line poem (a lune poem).
THANK YOU FOR VISITING the Jean-Michel Basquiat: Now’s the Time exhibition.
• Why is “Now the time” for Basquiat’s art?
• Why is Basquiat’s artwork still important today?
• Is there one work in the exhibition that you would
share with a friend or someone in your family? Why?
Lead Supporter:
Generously supported by:
Robert Harding
Supported by / Avec l’appui du:
Official Hotel Partner:
Contemporary programming at the Art Gallery of Ontario is supported by: