Basquiat: Boom for Real, 2018

Emerging from the creative, post-punk underground scene of New York in the late 1970s, Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) went from penniless to rich within a matter of months. In 1981, he sold his first painting to his friend and future collaborator Debbie Harry for $200. Soon after, he was selling paintings for $20,000. 

Despite the fame and success Basquiat experienced in his lifetime before his untimely death at the age of 27, it has taken institutions much longer to recognise the importance of his work, and its significant place in art and cultural history.

Taking four years to research and curate, ‘Basquiat: Boom for Real’ opened at the Barbican in September 2017, remaining open for four months until January 2018. It was the first large-scale exhibition to be held in the UK of his work, and the first time that any of his works had been shown here in 20 years. Exhibiting over 100 paintings and drawings by the artist, loaned from international museums and private collections, the show was significant in its recognition of one of the 20th century’s most important artists. 

This original exhibition poster from the acclaimed show features the iconic photograph ‘Jean-Michel Basquiat Wearing an American Football Helmet’, 1981 by Edo Bertoglio. Marking this historically noteworthy exhibition, this rare poster is a perfect collector’s piece.