Jesse James
Back in June, Citadel founder and Chicago philanthropist Kenneth C. Griffin purchased Jean-Michel Basquiat’s massive Boy and Dog in Johnnnypump. The piece sold for over $100 million USD. After the sale Citadel spokesman Zia Ahmed said, “The vast majority of Ken’s art collection is on display at museums for the public to enjoy.” Ahmed added, “He intends to share this piece as well.”
Well, this week, the massive work of art will hang on the wall in the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago. Hendrik Folkerts, the museum’s Dittmer Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, spoke about the painting. He stated: “This is from 1982, so really at the height of his career.” Folkerts went on to add, “That’s why we’re so extremely thrilled to be able to reopen with this.”
The painting measures in at 14 feet wide and 8 feet high and depicts one of Basquiat’s near-skeletal Black male figures. The figure is seen playing with a dog in the water of an open fire hydrant. Folkerts explained, “He wants to paint these figures, both dog and boy, from the inside out.”
The piece will become the museum’s only work on display by Basquiat. Folkerts also spoke about Basquiat’s influence on a new generation of artists. He added, “If I talk to young artists here in Chicago at the School (of the Art Institute) or anywhere else, Basquiat is an inspiration.” The Art Institute of Chicago is opening on July 30 and offering a week of free admission for Illinois residents.
Check out the painting in the image up top or head over to the exhibit to see it for yourself. In the meantime, keep it locked with The Culture Curators for more from the art department coming very soon.
Photos via Wiki
