Blackwell Auctions – Exceptional Estates Auction
July 27th at noon ET
www.BlackwellAuctions.com

CLEARWATER, FLA. — On July 27, Florida’s Blackwell Auctions will present two signed, fresh-to-the-market paintings by Jean-Michel Basquiat (American, 1960-1988) as highlights of the firm’s estates auction. Neither of the Basquiat artworks has been seen publicly since their display at a 2002 contemporary art exhibition conducted at the Santa Monica, Calif., gallery and private consultancy firm Ikon. At that event, the Basquiats appeared alongside paintings by Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Ed Ruscha, Roy Lichtenstein and several other contemporary artists of great distinction.

The larger of the two Basquiat artworks to be auctioned is titled “Chop Suey.” Created in 1983, the vibrant marine-blue, black, yellow and white painting on illustration board measures 9¾ by 12 inches (sight). “Chop Suey” incorporates two familiar symbols that recur in Basquiat’s work: the tuxedo-clad penguin with a top hat and the figure with an upraised arm and vertical body riddled with arrows. It has been suggested that Basquiat may have expanded the concept of this work into his mural-sized “The dingoes that park their brains with their gum,” as the two bear some thematic similarities. The painting is boldly artist-signed on verso. It will open for bidding at $50,000.

The second Basquiat is untitled (Fig One), a 1982 oilstick on paper that measures 9-1/8 by 11 inches (sight). In addition to the depictions of two narrow apartment buildings and a morose dog figure, Basquiat included his most iconic symbol, the three-pointed crown. It is positioned atop one of the buildings, as though the artist wanted to add a regal touch to an otherwise pedestrian-looking urban edifice. The front of the artwork is signed with Basquiat’s full name. Opening bid: $35,000.

Both Basquiat works were professionally framed in 2002 by Castelli Custom Picture Framing of Culver City, Calif., to achieve a size that would be most suitable for exhibition. “Chop Suey” has a framed size of 18-3/8 by 20¼ inches, while untitled (Fig One) measures 20½ by 22 inches. To this day, Castelli continues to provide its bespoke framing services to noted artists, top-tier galleries and several major auction houses.

Edwin Bailey of Blackwell Auctions remarked, “It’s a tremendous honor for us to offer these two artworks by Jean-Michel Basquiat, especially given the unimpeachable provenance of their having been exhibited at Ikon.” After the Ikon exhibition concluded, both of the Basquiats joined a private art collection in Miami, where they have remained for more than two decades.

The auction’s extensive selection of other fine art pieces includes original works by Leroy Neiman, Michael Cartellone, Charles Hinman, Alan Davie, Louis Leopold Boilly, Richard Schmid, Peter Max and others. Additionally, there are signed lithographs by Picasso and Erte.

In-person inspection of the Basquiat paintings is by appointment only. A public preview of all auction items, including the Basquiats, will be conducted at Blackwell’s gallery on July 26 from 10 am to 4 pm Eastern Time, as well as on the morning of the July 27 sale from 10 am until the auction starts at noon.

Blackwell Auctions is at 5251 110th Avenue North, Suite 118. For information, 727-546-0200 or www.blackwellauctions.com.

Two exhibited Basquiat works
Rare Colt Double Rifle, serial No. 3