The Puerto Rico Art Museum and ArtPremium open exhibition
Basquiat: An anthology for Puerto Rico
Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (MAPR)
Avenida De Diego 299
Santurce, Puerto Rico 00910
Tel.: 787-977-6277
The Puerto Rico Art Museum and Art Premium have joined efforts to offer, for the first time in Puerto Rico, a cultural event of international interest that will mark this decade as one of the greatest exhibitions in Puerto Rico, Basquiat: An anthology for Puerto Rico. This exhibition of Jean Michel Basquiat (1960-1988), with 131 original pieces, 25 lithographies and silkscreens, will be displayed from October 21, 2006 through January 7, 2007, after a successful tour among the most important museums worldwide.
The collection is composed of paper artwork that shows the artists development from 1977 until his untimely tragic death in 1988, creating a detailed anthology of the most significant moments in his life. The extraordinary quality of his work made him a favorite of personalities such as Andy Warhol, and catapulted him to international fame in a short time. This collection bears witness to the richness and diversity of a production that can be considered emblematic of the most important post-war art movements.
Dr. Lourdes Ramos, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Art Museum, states: We are very honored to host such an important event and of being able to provide the people of Puerto Rico the opportunity to enjoy closely Jean Michel Basquiats work.
Corinne Timsit, editor of ArtPremium and project manager for the Basquiats exhibition, added: Our magazine seeks to strengthen the art audience in Puerto Rico and to give Puerto Ricans the opportunity of witness exhibitions of international renown.
Basquiat: An anthology for Puerto Rico documents the brilliant artistic savvy of young Basquiat. The artist, of Puerto Rican blood on the maternal side, and Haitian on his fathers, was born and raised in New York. Basquiat was able to combine the multicultural elements that besieged his hybrid self within the great North American metropolis.
Basquiat transformed the racial and national tensions that defined his life into objects of a brilliant representation characterized by the easiness of strokes, the insistent use of primary colors, the typical lettering of graffiti, iconic images, a somewhat sinister sense of humor and impressively prolific work. His art is a nouvelle and surprising form of abstract expressionism, Povera art, primitivism, childrens art, abstraction, cubism and surrealism, and a myriad of avant guard elements; all with the underlying concern for the human condition in this violent post modern world.
This exhibition reveals the intimate dialogue between painting and drawing for Basquiat. Judging for the pictorial content of his work, the artist does not distinguish between paper and canvas, using the same images and techniques in both. Given that paper does not require special preparation, it allows faster, more spontaneous and more quantity of work.
Basquiat: An anthology for Puerto Rico comprises artwork from Enrico Navarras collection, renowed international art collector and one of the main Basquiats collectors. This exhibition has UBS Financial Servicies Incorporated of Puerto Rico as its main sponsor and the support of Assurant Solutions, Doral Bank, Plaza Las Américas Foundation, MCS, Universal Group, PRTC and the University of Puerto Rico, among others. To be part of history through the support of this exhibition, please call (787) 977-4449.
As part of the exhibition, the Museum has coordinated special events for different audiences, inside and outside its premises, such as exhibitions, art workshops for children and teens, guided tours, cultural fairs for universities and educational forums.
The Museum operation hours are: Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Wednesday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm; Sundays from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. As part of the benefits of the Museums Members Program, its members will enjoy free admission for the Basquiats exhibition.
For additional information on the exhibition and its programs, please call (787) 977-6277, Ext. 2226.
