Basquiat and Banksy Take Center Stage at the Hirshhorn

The Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is set to showcase an intriguing exhibition that delves into the connection between renowned artists Jean-Michel Basquiat and Banksy. Titled “Basquiat x Banksy,” this year-long exhibition will feature two related paintings by these groundbreaking artists: Basquiat’s Boy and Dog in a Johnnypump and Banksy’s Banksquiat. Boy and Dog in Stop and Search. This will mark the first time that works by either artist will be displayed at the museum in Washington, D.C.

Director of the Hirshhorn, Melissa Chiu, expressed that positioning Basquiat alongside Banksy allows for a closer examination of Basquiat’s legacy, particularly the movement of street art into museum settings through his studio practice. Basquiat, a prolific Neo-Expressionist artist, drew inspiration from a variety of sources such as hip-hop, jazz, graffiti, literature, pop art, and more, creating an emotionally charged style that continues to captivate audiences. Despite his untimely death at the age of 27 in 1988, Basquiat’s impact on the art world remains significant.

One of the featured pieces in the exhibition is Basquiat’s Boy and Dog in a Johnnypump, created in 1982. This vibrant artwork showcases a skeletal boy standing alongside a dog next to an open fire hydrant, known as a “johnny pump.” In 2020, this piece was acquired by American businessman Ken Griffin for over $100 million, highlighting its enduring appeal and cultural significance. The bright colors in the painting symbolize a blazing hot summer landscape, as interpreted by curator Hendrik Folkerts.

Banksy, known for his thought-provoking street art, paid homage to Basquiat’s work with his piece Banksquiat. Boy and Dog in Stop and Search, which features the same skeletal figures being frisked by two police officers. Created in 2017 at London’s Barbican Center, Banksy’s mural coincided with an exhibition of Basquiat’s work at the museum. This piece sheds light on the racial and social inequalities that were prevalent in Basquiat’s life and are recurring themes in his art.

In addition to these paintings, the exhibition will showcase 20 small Basquiat artworks on paper and wood created between 1979 and 1985. The film Downtown 81, released in 2000 and centered around Basquiat and his contemporaries, will also be featured in the museum. “Basquiat x Banksy” is part of the Hirshhorn’s 50th-anniversary celebrations, alongside the “Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860-1960” exhibition, which includes over 200 artworks.

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience “Basquiat x Banksy” at the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C., where these iconic artworks will be on display for art enthusiasts and cultural aficionados to explore and appreciate.