Basquiat Retrospective at Albertina Explores Symbols and Signs

The Albertina Museum in Vienna presents 'Basquiat. Of Symbols and Signs', a major retrospective of Jean-Michel Basquiat running until January 8, 2023. Curated by Antonia Hoerschelmann, the exhibition features about fifty works, including the iconic 'Self Portrait' (1983) and 'Untitled' (1982) depicting a crowned black figure. Basquiat's work critiques racism, social injustice, and capitalism, drawing from his Haitian and Puerto Rican heritage, as well as pop culture, comics, and advertising. The show traces his evolution from street graffiti under the tag SAMO© to gallery paintings, highlighting his rapid rise in the early 1980s after his first solo show at Annina Nosei Gallery and his selection for documenta 7 by Rudi Fuchs. His friendship with Andy Warhol, who encouraged his ascent, and his collaboration with Bruno Bischofberger are noted. The article also mentions concurrent Basquiat exhibitions in New York: 'Jean-Michel Basquiat: Art and Objecthood' at Nahmad Contemporary Gallery (April–June 2022) and 'Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure' at Starrett-Lehigh Building, curated by his sisters, which includes personal memorabilia but has faced criticism for commercialization. A scandal at Orlando Museum of Art involved 25 purported Basquiat works seized by the FBI as forgeries. Basquiat died in 1988 at age 27 from a drug overdose. His market remains strong, with auction sales totaling $267 million in 2021 alone.