Get ready, Miami. The Pérez Art Museum (PAMM) is about to drop a Basquiat exhibition, and it's bringing some serious firepower. We're talking about ten pieces from the private collection of Ken Griffin, because apparently, having one of the world's most expensive paintings isn't enough; you also need to share it.
The show, aptly titled "Basquiat: Figures, Signs, Symbols," will feature nine paintings and one sculpture. It's designed to dive deep into the artist's signature themes: portraits, figures, and that unmistakable Basquiat flair for color and composition. PAMM director Franklin Sirmans points out that Miami's multicultural vibe makes it the perfect stage for Basquiat's explorations of memory, migration, and mixed cultures. Because if anyone understood a melting pot, it was Basquiat.
The $200 Million Question
Now, for the main event: Untitled (1982). This painting made headlines back in 2017 when it sold for a then-record-breaking $110.5 million. Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa was the buyer. Fast forward to 2024, and Griffin reportedly snagged it for an eye-watering $200 million. Let that satisfying number sink in. It's now the crown jewel of Griffin's loan to PAMM. Which, if you think about it, is both impressive and slightly terrifying.
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Start Your News DetoxSirmans hopes this exhibition will help visitors look past the celebrity and the price tags, focusing instead on Basquiat's genius as a self-taught artist. Because apparently, there's more to a painting than its eight-figure price tag. The show also includes other notable works like Untitled (Tenant) (1982), featuring a character described as a "distorted, skeletal figure," and Pez Dispenser (1984), because even Basquiat knew the power of a candy dispenser.
The exhibition kicks off on June 25, just in time for the FIFA World Cup matches Miami is hosting. Clearly, PAMM knows how to draw a crowd. Griffin, for his part, expressed pride in the partnership, suggesting Basquiat's art is a universal language, connecting generations and communities. Especially, one might add, communities with a lot of disposable income and a penchant for world-class art.
