David Jonsson on Jean Michel Basquiat

Great Lives

BBC

History, Documentary, Personal Journals, Society & Culture

4.2 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 12 January 2021

⏱️ 28 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat rose to fame in the 1980's Lower East Side New York arts scene. Andy Warhol was his friend and collaborator, Madonna a one time girlfriend and David Bowie a huge admirer. But beyond this club scene personality raged a prolific artist, writer and musician. During his short career Basquiat created no less than 1000 drawings, 700 paintings and many sculpture and mixed media works. In 2017 he became one of a handful of artists whose work broke the $100 million mark. His life challenged the boundaries of ‘blackness’ but also the boundaries of American art. He is championed by actor David Jonsson best known for his work on 'Deep State' and 'Industry'. He has described Basquiat's life as both an inspiration and a cautionary tale. He is joined by Jordana Moore Saggese, Associate Professor of American Art at the University of Maryland College Park and author of two scholarly books on Jean-Michel Basquiat. These include The Jean-Michel Basquiat Reader: Writings, Interviews and Critical Responses. Presented by Matthew Parris Produced by Nicola Humphries for BBC Bristol Featuring excerpts from Radio 4's 'I Was...Basquiat's Partner in Noise' presented by Andrew McGibbon and available on BBC Sounds.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Before you listen to this BBC podcast I'd like to introduce myself. My name's
0:04.0	Stevie Middleton and I'm a BBC Commissioner for a load of sport
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0:11.1	journalists, experienced pundits and the biggest
0:13.3	sports stars. Together we bring you untold stories and fascinating insights
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0:22.0	our unique access to the sporting world.
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0:28.9	dedicated sports fans across the UK.
0:31.5	So if you like this podcast, head over to BBC Sounds where you'll find plenty more.
0:36.2	Today we're heading to 1980s New York, where Our Great Life artist Jean-Michel Basquiat rose to fame.
0:45.0	Andy Warhol, his friend and collaborator, is in conversation with Madonna, whom Basaskia dated.
0:55.0	Jean-Michel is just about to appear as a nightclub DJ in Blondie's music video, Rapture, cementing his place as a figure within the new wave of art and music
1:09.8	emerging from New York's lower east side.
1:15.0	But beyond this club scene personality,
1:20.0	Rages a prolific and passionate artist.
1:26.0	During his short career, he created no less than 1,000 drawings,
1:30.0	700 paintings, and many sculpture and mixed media works.
1:35.8	And his life challenged the boundaries of blackness, but also the boundaries of American
1:40.6	art. Our guest today, championing him is David Johnson, a young
1:49.0	actor who's described Baskyat's life as a huge inspiration, but also a cautionary tale.
1:56.3	Is it true you've got a postcard that you take with you wherever you go?
	...

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