Image credit: George Hirose
On December 1, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) will be unveiling an as-yet-unseen exhibition. Covering its walls in works that have not yet hung side-by-side, the gallery has curated a collection of works from two of the 20th century’s most significant and influential artists, Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Titled Crossing Lines, the unprecedented exhibition not only will provide viewers with insights into their respective works, but will also draw parallels between the two American-born artists’ lives, practices and ideas, hence its aptly chosen name.
Both reaching the peak of their short but extremely significant careers in the 1980s, Haring and Basquiat forged their legacies—which paved the way for many contemporary creative and pop culture references following their respective passings—with what the NVG has identified as their shared idiosyncratic imagery, radical ideations and complex socio-political commentary of the time.
Featuring works across a number of mediums, including paint, sculpture, photography, and their original notebooks, Crossing Lines, will give art aficionados and neophytes alike a comprehensive insight into Haring and Basquiat’s bodies of work, and the cultural impact they’ve maintained since the ’80s.
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With both artists’ works inspired by the streets and subway stations of New York City introducing the exhibition, viewers will also enjoy the very first works each artist ever showcased, as well as their collaborations with not only each other, but also with late 20th century icons, such as Andy Warhol, Grace Jones and Madonna.
A cross section of both Basquiat and Haring’s acclaimed works—Basquiat’s crown and head motifs, and Haring’s iconic dancing figures included—will also feature to round out the historically-rich curation before its conclusion on April 13, 2020.
“Haring and Basquiat redefined the role of art in public space and public debate,” said Dr. Dieter Buchhart, art historian and guest curator of Crossing Lines. “This exhibition draws out their passionate engagement with social issues, such as racism and the AIDS crisis, revealing the political context underpinning their practices”.
Scroll on for an exclusive first look at Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Crossing Lines exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria.
Jean-Michel Basquiat, Because it hurts the lungs (1986)
Image credit: Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York
Jean-Michel Basquiat, Self portrait (1984)
Image credit: Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York
Jean-Michel Basquiat, Museum security (Broadway meltdown) [1983]
Image credit: Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York
Jean-Michel Basquiat, (1982)
Image credit: Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York
Keith Haring, (1982)
Image credit: Private collection, Keith Haring Foundation
Keith Haring, (1982)
Image credit: Private collection, Keith Haring Foundation
Keith Haring, Pile of crowns for Jean-Michel Basquiat (1988)
Image credit: Private collection, Keith Haring Foundation
Keith Haring, (1983)
Image credit: Private collection, Keith Haring Foundation
Keith Haring, (1982)
Image credit: Private collection, Keith Haring Foundation
Keith Haring, Prophets of rage (1988)
Image credit: Private collection, Keith Haring Foundation
Keith Haring, Malcolm X (1988)
Image credit: Private collection, Keith Haring Foundation
Portrait of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Image credit: William Coupon
Portrait of Keith Haring.
Image credit: William Coupon