Foreword / Nicholas Cullinan -- Essence of memento mori / Liz Rideal -- Basquiat by himself / Dieter Buchhart -- 1979-1982: Basquiat by himself -- Interview with Bruno Bischofberger / Dieter Buchhart -- 1983-1984: Basquiat by himself -- Bullet train / Lee Jaffe -- 1985-1988: Basquiat by himself -- "Get me sitting in this tree" / Michael Halsband -- Chronology / Anna Karina Hofbauer.
Summary:
The present publication is dedicated to the expressive self-portraits by Jean-Michel Basquiat and covers his lifelong intensive study of the self. In Basquiat's œuvre the self-portrait, one of the major subjects of art history, occupies a central position that has not been examined to date. Jean-Michel Basquiat?s self-portraits are regarded as being among the most important of his radical creative works. In addition to some 50 specific portraits of himself, we can also see his series of likenesses of African-American men as concealed reproductions of the artist. Not least because Basquiat, who was affected himself by everyday racism, identified with his heroes, saints and martyrs as he portrayed them. Thus his major topics from identity, discrimination and prejudice to capitalism, the market and oppression are all to be found in these key works.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.