Two of the most influential artists of the eighties will be the stars of a world-first exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria this summer – Keith Haring | Jean-Michel Basquiat: Crossing Lines.
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley was at the NGV today to announce the Melbourne-exclusive exhibition as part of the Gallery’s blockbuster summer series.
Widely credited for bringing street art into the contemporary art world, Keith Haring (1958-90) and Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-88) began their careers on the streets and in the subway stations of New York City.
The exhibition will explore the talent and legacy of these 20th century icons, showcasing more than 300 artworks including paintings, sculptures, photographs and more.
Iconic images including Keith Haring’s radiant baby motif and Basquiat’s crown will feature prominently. The exhibition will also include Haring’s A Pile of Crowns for Jean-Michel Basquiat, a tribute to his friend after his death in 1988.
It will feature some of Haring and Basquiat’s earliest pieces and collaborations with each other as well as with Andy Warhol, Grace Jones and Madonna.
Haring’s paintings from his only trip of Australia in 1984 will also feature. On that visit he created a temporary artwork on the NGV Waterwall and a now-famous mural in Collingwood, one of only 31 known Haring murals that still exist.
Crossing Lines will show how the artists used their work to comment on the politics of the time and to raise awareness of issues such as the AIDS crisis, the fight against racism and the battle to end apartheid in South Africa.
The 2018/19 NGV summer exhibition Escher X nendo | Between Two Worlds closed earlier this month, having attracted almost 300,000 visitors from across Australia.
Keith Haring | Jean-Michel Basquiat: Crossing Lines will run from 1 December 2019-13 April 2020 at the NGV.
For tickets and more information visit ngv.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley
“Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat shook the foundations of the art world. They used their work to highlight vital issues of the time and they created a legacy that continues today.”
“This will be another blockbuster for the NGV and Melbourne is the only place you’ll see it – proving once again why the NGV is Australia’s most visited gallery and a must-see destination all year round.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020