Andy Warhol Exhibits in China and Russia; Jean-Michel Basquiat Exhibit in Chelsea

In the early 1980s, Jean-Michel Basquiat was at the height of his career. Andy Warhol was experiencing a renewed burst of fame, after focusing on filmmaking in the 1970s, and returning to painting.

Basquiat and Warhol collaborated on a series of works, with Basquiat usually painting over Warhol's initial composition, with the resulting works enhancing both of their careers.

What the artists did not know at that time, was that their works would have an enduring legacy, and sadly, that their lives would be cut short.

Andy Warhol died of complications during routine gallbladder surgery on February 22, 1987, at age 58.  Jean-Michel Basquiat died, a year-and-a half later, on August 12, 1988, of a heroin overdose, at age 27. The works of each are as relevant as ever and have garnered global acclaim.

Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol's work is currently being shown in major exhibitions in China and Russia.

Becoming Andy Warhol is the most comprehensive exhibit of Warhol's works ever to be shown in China. Nearly 400 works, including paintings, photographs and objects that depict his early life and career are on display. There's even a replica of the red couch that was in The Factory and was the backdrop for many of the celebrity photos taken by, and of, Warhol. Becoming Andy Warhol will be displayed at the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing through October 10, 2021 and then travel to the Center for Contemporary Arts in Shanghai, where it will be on display from November 6, 2021 through March 6, 2022.

More than 100 of Warhol's works are being shown alongside Russian Pop artists at the Sevkabel Port in St. Petersburg expo center now through September 2021. Andy Warhol and Russian Art highlights the influence that Warhol had on artists in the Soviet Union.

Recent acquisitions at VFA by Andy Warhol include Campbell's Soup/Pepper Pot and Grace Kelly.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

During his too-brief lifetime, Jean-Michel Basquiat painted on canvas, wood and any other surface that he could put his brush to, including the doors and walls of the homes in which he lived and visited.

Because he only lived for 27 years, his oeuvre was limited, which makes every work so precious.

The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat, co-led by his sister, Jeanine Heriveaux, is preparing for an exhibition of his work at the Starrett-Lehigh Building in Manhattan in the Spring of 2022. Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure will include over 200 works by Basquiat that have either never before or rarely been seen.

"There's been many exhibitions of Jean-Michel's work," Heriveaux said, "but never told from the perspective of the family - Jean-Michel as a child, a man, a son, and a brother."

VFA's recent acquisitions of the works of Jean-Michel Basquiat include Ligaments of the Elbow and Hollywood Africans in Front of the Chinese Theater with Footprints of Movie Stars.

Please contact us for more information about the works of Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat available at VFA.