Jean-Michel Basquiat's Prolific Los Angeles Period, Yielding Over 100 Works, Highlighted in New Publication

Jean-Michel Basquiat's significant and prolific period in Los Angeles, which began with his arrival in 1982 and the establishment of his own studio a year later, is now being showcased in a new book. As announced by "California Sun" on social media, this publication aims to shed light on a crucial chapter of the artist's career, often overshadowed by his New York roots. This era saw Basquiat create over 100 works, marking a period of intense artistic development and innovation.

Basquiat's initial move to Los Angeles in December 1982 was at the invitation of art dealer Larry Gagosian, who had given the artist his first West Coast show earlier that year. Seeking respite from the intense pressures of the New York art scene, Basquiat found a congenial environment in Venice, California. He initially resided and worked at Gagosian's Market Street house before securing his own studio just doors away in 1983, and also spent time at the L'Ermitage Hotel.

During his approximately 18-month stay, Basquiat's output was remarkably high, including seminal pieces such as "Hollywood Africans," "Tuxedo," "Flexible," and "Gold Griot." He refined his techniques, notably collaborating with art historian and printmaker Fred Hoffman on silkscreen works like "Tuxedo," which explored themes of identity through its striking black-and-white inversion. Basquiat also began painting on wood slats, salvaged from a fence near his studio, a technique seen in "Flexible" and "Gold Griot."

The Los Angeles environment provided unique influences, connecting Basquiat with the burgeoning West Coast hip-hop and film scenes. Friends like filmmaker Tamra Davis and music executive Matt Dike introduced him to local culture, including the music scene that would later inspire his own record production. His interactions also included visits with artist Robert Rauschenberg at Gemini G.E.L., further broadening his artistic perspectives.

This pivotal time is now the focus of the exhibition "Jean-Michel Basquiat: Made on Market Street" at Gagosian Beverly Hills, co-curated by Larry Gagosian and Fred Hoffman. The exhibition, and its accompanying publication, reunites key works from this period, some shown together for the first time. It seeks to provide a more nuanced understanding of Basquiat's artistic evolution, moving beyond the "street artist" label to firmly establish his place within the lineage of modern masters.