In Issue 12 of Kolaj Magazine, Ariane Fairlie reviewed “Jean-Michel Basquiat: Now’s the Time” at the Art Gallery of Ontario, 7 February-10 May 2015.
In the review, Fairlie examines the place of collage in Basquiat’s work, both conceptually and in practice. Fairlie writes:
Basquiat’s artwork is related to collage in conception. It is a collage of his subconscious and the forces of the world that influenced his life. Symbols evolved to repeat throughout his work: The crown, the halo, and the boxer are among some of the most present in “Now’s the Time”. In Basquiat’s mind, all these pieces were at play, derived from his lived experiences. For instance, the car is a recurring theme in his work. In fact, when Basquiat was seven, he was hit by a car and spent a month in hospital. When he was there, his mother gave him the book Grey’s Anatomy, which sparked a lifelong interest in the human body. Both influences are evident in his work as he repeatedly examined the black male anatomy and its representation in the media, and revisited the accident in the violence of his mark making.
This article originally appeared in Issue Twelve. To read the entire article and other writing about the world of collage, SUBSCRIBE to Kolaj or PURCHASE ISSUE TWELVE.
INFORMATION
Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5T 1G4 Canada
(416) 979-6648
Hours:
Tuesday and Thursday-Sunday, 10AM-5:30PM
Wednesday, 10AM-8PM
Image:
A Panel of Experts
by Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988)
60″x60″
acrylic and oil paintstick and paper collage on canvas with exposed wood supports and twine
1982
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Gift of Ira Young
© Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat / SODRAC (2014)
Licensed by Artestar, New York