The story of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s rapid success, from his subway graffiti to his works in luxury galleries within five years, has its roots in the urban stories of the early 1980s in New York. Since his death from a heroin overdose in 1988, aged 27, Basquiat films, books and auction prices (along with exhibitions such as last year’s ‘Basquiat x Warhol. Painting 4 Hands’ at the Fondation Louis Vuitton) have multiplied, but one angle has remained largely unexplored until now: the formative time he spent in Los Angeles.

“Made on Market Street” at Gagosian in Beverly Hills is the first exhibition to present work by the young artist between 1982 and 1984 when he worked for extended periods of time in a studio at Larry Gagosian’s home in Venice, California, and later in a studio, both within walking distance of the beach.

Having invited Basquiat to stay at his home in November 1982, Gagosian found himself hanging out with the dashing 22-year-old and his girlfriend, a then-unknown…Madonna. “Los Angeles has always been a great city for artists … his enormous talent was immediately apparent,” says Gagosian.

Hoffman helped Basquiat translate his spontaneous methods of combining drawing, collage and painting to make large-scale prints, including his famous 1983 Tuxedo.

“Made on Market Street” will be on display at Gagosian LA through June 1, 2024.

Photos Courtesy of gagosian.com