World premiere! < Keith Haring / Jean-Michel Basquiat: Cross Line > is about to log on to NGV

1987, Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat at the opening reception of Julian Schnabel, New York Whitney Museum of American Art

The NGV International Pavilion launched the world`s first exhibition

On December 1, 2019, Melbourne NGV launched the world`s first exhibition: "Kiss Harlin @ Chammish Buschia: cross Line > (Keith Haring | Jean-Michel Basquiat).."

Keith Haring portrait, picture: William Coupon

Jean-Michel Basquiat portrait, picture: William Coupon

In this unprecedented world debut, NGV will showcase the works of two influential artists, Kisharin (Keith Haring) and Jean-Michel Basquiat, who were influential at the end of the 20th century. The exclusive Melbourne exhibition will provide a whole new insight into their unique visual language and reveal for the first time the intersection of their lives, practices and ideas.

Through their unique images, radical ideas and complex social and political comments, the indelible artistic heritage created by Kisharin (United States, 1958 / 90) and Sammy Baschia (United States, 1960 / 88) through their unique images, radical ideas and complex social and political comments change continues to influence today`s contemporary vision and popular culture. Both artists are praised for their unique visual language, using symbols, symbols and words to convey strong social and political messages in non-traditional ways.

Keith Haring Prophets of rage 1988

The exhibition will review each artist`s short but prolific career, including works in public space, paintings, sculptures, objects, paper works, photo, original notes, etc. The Keith Haring / Jean-Michel Basquiat: Cross Line will provide local and international audiences with a comprehensive understanding of these influential artists, as well as a broader understanding of their influence in the 1980s and 1990s and even today.

The exhibition takes the works of artists on the streets and subway stations of New York as an example, from the first exhibition of the two artists to their cooperation with each other, as well as with Andy Warhol (Andy Warhol), Grace Jones (Grace Jones) and Madonna (Madonna) et al. The exhibition also includes some of their most popular works, such as Basquiat`s crown and avatar works, as well as Haring`s iconic "luminous villain" (radiant baby) and dance characters.

Jean-Michel Basquiat Self Portrait 1985

"Haring and Basquiat created immortal works, which are rich in symbolism and emotional political criticism," said Tony Ellwood AM, director of NGV. "the exhibition comes from public and private collections around the world, providing a unique academic background for the rise and lasting influence of their works and firmly embedding them in the active and diverse social context of New York in the 1980s."

Picture: Scott Barbou

Dr. Dieter Buchhart, a prominent art historian and guest curatorial at Cross Line, said: "Haring and Basquiat redefine the role of art in public spaces and public debates. This exhibition shows their enthusiastic participation in social issues, such as the racism and AIDS crisis, and reveals the political context that underpins their practice."

"Jean-Michel Basquiat`s works combine explosion visual symbols on the streets of New York with universal human symbols, often involving political issues, racial criticism, social injustice, and consumer capitalism. His works are characterized by skeleton contours, masked faces and other famous visual symbols, drawing inspiration from daily life and popular culture, such as cartoons, children`s paintings, advertising, Aztec and African art, as well as Western art history classics. "Dr. Buchhart continued to add.

The highlight of the exhibition will be Basquiat`s indisputable masterpiece, Untitled, 1982, which describes one of Basquiat`s most popular themes, the skull, with a complex background and rich hierarchy, fully reflecting Basquiat`s unique use of spiritual lines, gestures and colors.

Jean-Michel Basquiat Untitled 1982

Keith Haring is committed to conveying the message of social justice and change in his paintings, sketches and sculptures. "Haring insists that art exists for everyone and brings his unique artistic vocabulary into the public space to spread and popularize his art and ideas," Dr. Buchhart said.

Haring has been involved in many social and political undertakings, actively fighting prejudice and injustice, raising awareness of environmental damage, the AIDS epidemic, children`s health, the fight to end segregation in South Africa and many other problems facing humanity and the planet.

Keith Haring Untitled 1983

Haring`s important works include his No title (Untitled, 1983), which makes outstanding comments on the rise and ultimate dominance of mass media and computer technology through complex characters, lines and computer composition. The last part of the exhibition is Haring`s "A Pile of Crowns for Jean-Michel Basquiat", a moving work that honors his friend after his friend died on August 12, 1988. It consists of a bunch of Basquiat`s unique crowns that shine through Haring`s skilful use of lines and symbolism. His signature waterproof paintings will also be on display, including Untitled, Australia in 1984, the only work he created when he visited Australia (while in Australia, he also created his brief water wall frescoes at the NGV International Museum).