COLLABORATIONS
“It was like some crazy art-world marriage and they were the odd couple. The relationship was symbiotic. Jean-Michel thought he needed Andy’s fame, and Andy thought he needed Jean-Michel’s new blood. Jean-Michel gave Andy a rebellious image again.”
– Ronnie Cutrone, Warhol’s long-time studio assistant
Basquiat was deeply engaged in the New York cultural scene of the 1980s and participated in a number of collaborative projects with musicians, filmmakers and artists. Andy Warhol was a veteran of the art world and one of Basquiat’s favourite artists. At a time when fame and fortune had made friendships difficult and isolation a reality, Basquiat found in Warhol a trusted advisor, confidant and equal. In turn, Warhol was inspired by Basquiat’s immense energy and exuberant creativity.
In 1984 and 1985, the two collaborated on a series of works that combine their distinctive styles in silkscreen and painting. This partnership of art titans was as prolific as it was innovative: their collaborations make up one-tenth of Basquiat’s total body of work.