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Would Basquiat Have Loved or Hated All the Merch?

Despite ongoing debates about how Jean-Michel Basquiat would have viewed the mass marketing of his art, new book ‘The Making of an Icon’ sheds light on his complex relationship with fame, money, and his posthumous legacy.
After Basquiat’s death, his estate was taken over by his father, and their layered relationship bled into our modern understanding of the artist.
After Basquiat’s death, his estate was taken over by his father, and their layered relationship bled into our modern understanding of the artist. (Getty Images)

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Further Reading

Why Are There So Many Basquiat Fashion Collaborations?

The late painter, whose work appeared in Tiffany’s latest advertising campaign, is a fashion favourite. It’s no accident: firms like Artestar broker deals between fashion brands and artists or their estates. But keeping them fresh is a challenge.

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