Experience the Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure Exhibition

In the past half-century, few artists have captured the public imagination quite like Jean-Michel Basquiat. Now, the exceptional artist has inspired a one-of-a-kind exhibition in New York City.

Opened earlier in April at the historic Starrett-Lehigh building in West Chelsea, Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure features more than 200 works and artifacts, nearly 90% of which have never been showcased publicly until now. More than just an array of previously unseen material, the exhibit—curated by his sisters—aims to place the artist’s work in the context of his life as a whole.

“One narrative we want to clear up is that Jean had a family. He wasn’t just plopped into whatever story people create for him,” middle sibling Lisane Basquiat said. Moreover, this grand endeavor creates an intimate portrait of a figure who has become larger than life in modern times.

“We see it as a personal account of Jean-Michel’s journey and life. We see this as our response to all of the people who reach out to us all the time, asking about Jean-Michel and wanting more of Jean-Michel,” Lisane added.

Furthermore, her sister Jeanine Heriveaux stated, “We didn’t want it to be a scholarly show. We really wanted it to be an experience that showed Jean-Michel as a man, as a brother, as a son— that was our main goal.” This immersive experience allows visitors to feel connected to Basquiat’s lifetime narrative.

Positioning ephemera such as the artist’s birth announcement and Brooklyn Museum junior membership card alongside family photos and early sketches, the exhibition is segmented into multiple themed “environments.” Each section is dedicated to a different era of his life, from his birth in 1960 to the peaks of his ’80s fame.

“The conventional museum exhibition tends to isolate the artwork from real life and they did just the opposite,” dealer Jeffrey Deitch said. Consequently, the life story of Jean-Michel is thoroughly integrated with the presentation of the artworks, providing viewers with deeper insights.

Soundtracked with curated Spotify playlists for each environment, the exhibit captures all aspects of Basquiat’s life. Travelers may find the portrayal of his relationship with global cultures particularly appealing—his 1986 passport is even displayed.

“Travel was integral to Jean-Michel’s life. He had a love for different cuisines and cultures,” Jeanine noted in the exhibit’s catalogue. Moreover, she highlighted how the two places that marked him significantly were Hawaii and Abidjan, the capital of the Ivory Coast.

According to a New York Times article published shortly after his death, those trips to Hawaii were specifically aimed at reducing his drug use. “He said, ‘I gotta get out of New York; I hate it,’” said artist Vincent Gallo, reflecting on Basquiat’s struggles.

Taking its name from a Basquiat painting, which is a nod to a 1950s jazz vocalist, King Pleasure chooses not to focus heavily on the darker aspects of the artist’s narrative. Instead, it embraces a more holistic approach to showcasing his life and work.

“This truly was a labor of love and a walk through our own journey with Jean-Michel,” Lisane stated. “Every single detail in this exhibition was personally chosen by us, reflecting works that haven’t been seen in decades.”

Although some concerns have been raised about ticket prices—$35 on weekdays and up to $65 for line-skipping—organizers maintain that this experience is unique. “This is a story that only we can tell,” Lisane concluded.