A New Book Illuminates Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Prolific Time in Los Angeles

Jean-Michel Basquiat (previously) is often associated with the New York art scene of the 1980s, but between November 1982 and May 1984, the artist was wildly prolific on the other side of the country.

During his first stay in California, Basquiat posted up at Larry Gagosian’s Market Street home in Venice after the two art world titans worked together on the artist’s West Coast debut. He returned to New York before another trip back to Market Street in summer of 1983, when he established his own studio. He remained there until the following spring.

Although brief, Basquiat’s time in Los Angeles was creatively fruitful. Throughout the year and a half period, he made approximately 100 paintings, as well as works on paper and six silkscreen editions in collaboration with publisher and curator Fred Hoffman.

This period produced works like “Hollywood Africans,” an acrylic and oil stick composition on bright yellow evocative of the Southern California sunshine. The mixed-media piece features a self-portrait of the artist alongside Toxic and Rammellzee, two fellow graffiti icons seen as the “new Black celebrities,” according to a statement.

This history is detailed in the forthcoming book Made on Market Street, published by Rizzoli and Gagosian this August. The book—which shares a title with a 2024 exhibition at the eponymous gallery—includes archival documents like reviews of the 1982 and 1983 exhibitions, press releases, invitations to opening receptions, and more. There are also photos of the artist in his studio published for the first time.

Viewed as a potential companion to the 500-page monograph of Basquiat’s work, Made on Market Street illuminates a lesser-known period of his life and creative practice. The book features conversations with and writings by Hoffman, Larry Gagosian,  filmmaker Tamra Davis, and the artist’s sisters, Lisane Basquiat and Jeanine Heriveaux, all of which offer unique insight into one of the most successful artists of his time. Pre-order your copy on Bookshop.

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