Dog Art Today

Boy and Dog in a Johnnypump by Jean-Michel Basquiat

Written by

Moira McLaughlin

in

 

Boy_and_dog_in_johnnypump

 

Boy and Dog in a Johnnypump by Jean-Michel Basquiat, 1982

Via The State:

At the end of Jean-Michel Basquiat's short life, the explosively talented but troubled New York artist had a dream – to stage a major exhibit of his eyepopping, doodle-covered work in Paris. Nearly 50 years after his birth, and 22 years after his death at age 27 of a drug overdose, Basquiat's wish has finally come true. "Basquiat," which opened Friday at the Modern Art Museum of the City of Paris, brings together more than 150 pieces that trace his rise from graffiti artist to star of the New York art scene. — read full article by Jenny Barchfield

P.S.  A johnnypump is a fire hydrant.

Comments

2 responses to “Boy and Dog in a Johnnypump by Jean-Michel Basquiat”

  1. Jane Avatar
    Jane

    I love this painting. I see something new each time I look at Basquiats’ work. He incorporated text and images together in the most amazing ways. His work is so personal but truly reflects what was going on at that time socially and politically. I was lucky enough to see an exhibition of his work at the Brooklyn Museum about 4 years ago. It is really sad that his life was so difficult and way too short.

    Reply
  2. Moira McLaughlin Avatar
    Moira McLaughlin

    Hi Jane – I feel the same way. I think he was considered more a product of hype when he was alive, but his paintings have have stood the test of time. He was the real deal and it is so sad to think he would still be young now — still working and evolving as an artist. It felt strange to put him in the 20th Century category, when he should be a contemporary artist, still creating today.
    I did not fully appreciate this painting until I looked up the word “johnnypump” — as in a fire hydrant spraying water, color and life. So great.

    Reply

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