King Pleasure exhibition: The life of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat

“Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure” organized and curated by the late artist’s family is a beautiful tribute to their brother’s legacy! The exhibition now debuts in LA and his sisters see it as “a gift to his fans, our children and to ourselves.” This extensive immersive exhibition offers a new perspective on Basquiat’s life and art with over 200 never-before-seen and rarely shown videos, drawings, artifacts and paintings. King Pleasure tells a more personal story of Basquiat, celebrating the late artist’s life through pop culture influences, his experience as a Black man in America, his childhood and how this all fed into his artwork.

One of the most impressive aspects of the exhibit is the sheer scale of Basquiat’s pieces. Walking into the main gallery, I was immediately struck by the size of his works, which towered over me and seemed to fill the entire room. The use of bold, bright colors and large, sweeping lines creates an overwhelming sense of energy and movement in each piece.

The recreation of Basquiat’s studio provides a rare sensorial experience that transports us back into the chaos, with the creation process permeating through the room. Empty boxes of Marlboro Reds are sprinkled throughout the room making you feel as though Basquiat has stepped away from his pieces only a moment ago.

Throughout the exhibit, I was struck by the raw energy and emotion that permeates Basquiat’s works. The pieces feel deeply personal, as if they were created as a form of catharsis or self-expression. Even when the subject matter is political or social, there is a sense of intimacy and vulnerability that comes through in each work.

Overall, the “King Pleasure” exhibit is a must-see for anyone interested in contemporary art or the legacy of Jean-Michel Basquiat. The range and quality of the works on display is truly impressive, and the exhibit offers a fascinating glimpse into the mind of one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.