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We made a special trip to New York City specifically for the Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure exhibit. Henry has admired Jean-Michel’s art since he was a toddler (thanks to this book) and I knew we couldn’t miss it. Organized and curated by his family (mainly, his sisters) – it is a rare and intimate look into his life and work. Featuring over 200 rare and never-before-seen paintings, drawings, ephemera and artifacts, it is unlike any previous exhibit of his art. We purchased our tickets online a month in advance, and I’m so glad we did – it has been selling out daily. It was such a treat to see these works up close, as well as get a glimpse into his childhood, personal interests, and famous studio.
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This re-creation of his studio was incredibly moving to me. The television was playing one of his favorite movies (from his collection of VHS tapes), the record player was spinning one of his many cherished vinyls, and paint bottles and cigarette butts were strewn about. It was as if he had gone out for coffee and would return at any moment. A moment, his talents…frozen in time. We walked down a dark hallway playing beautiful (and emotional) video tributes, and just when we thought the exhibit was coming to an end…we heard this pumping base in the distance. We turned the corner to discover a joyous final feature – the Palladium club VIP lounge (circa 1985) for which Jean-Michel created massive pieces for.
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It is an experience Henry and I will never forget, and it certainly deepened our love for Jean-Michel and his work. The exhibit is ending soon in NYC, but I’ve heard rumors that they are working on bringing it to other cities across the U.S. and perhaps Europe. There is a palpable love for Basquiat around the globe, and this exhibit seems to be perfectly timed. For those that have asked, Henry’s Basquiat tee is from one of our favorite indie brands, (mother and daughter duo) Anchors + Asteroids and his jacket is by Sézane. For more on the exhibit, check out my NY Stories highlight on Instagram!
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