Home to the world’s most expensive painting and an ultra-rare Rembrandt, the region is fast becoming one of the world’s leading art destinations. And thanks to the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, its art world credentials are about to be cemented even more with the addition of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Cobra painting to its permanent collection.
Painted by Basquiat in 1981-82, and once owned by Yoko Ono, the piece is on loan from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi to the Louvre and is set to go on display April 17 at the Louvre Abu Dhabi and will be accompanied by a series of film screenings, a panel discussion and a party, hosted by the Guggenheim to celebrate the life and career of the Brooklyn-born artist.
Born to a Haitian father and Puerto Rican mother, the late artist, began his career after delving deep into the world of graffiti. Known for his tag ‘SAMO’, Basquiat stamped his moniker all over NYC before the art world took notice and gave him his first solo exhibition at Galleria d’Arte Emilio Mazzoli in Italy when he was just 21-years-old.
Soon enough Basquiat was rubbing shoulders with his era’s most established artists Andy Warhol, Joseph Beuys, and Keith Haring. As part of the Guggenheim’s programme, a few of his closest collaborators and friends are coming together as part of a panel, where they will discuss their experiences with the late artist. Moderated by Basquiat scholar Chaedria LaBouvier, you’ll hear from the legendary art dealer and curator Jeffrey Deitch, and graffiti artist Leonard Hilton McGurr, better known as Futura.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi: Jean Michel Basquiat, April 17 onwards, Louvre, Abu Dhabi
