Phillips will offer three magnificent paintings by the artist this spring Basquiat, all from the original collection of Francesco Pellizzi and the Pellizzi family. Professor Pellizzi was co-founder and editor of the journal Res, Anthropology and Aesthetics, published by Peabody at Harvard and Chicago University Press. Each of the works was purchased by Pellizzi from Annina Nosei in the early 80s, a pivotal moment in the artist's career, and remained in her collection for decades.
The three paintings will be sold in New York and Hong Kong
Phillips sales in New York and Hong Kong mark the first time these important works will be offered to the public. Untitled (ELMAR), 1982, and Untitled (Portrait of a Famous Ballplayer), 1981, will be sold in New York on May 14, while Native Carrying Some Guns, Bibles, Amorites on Safari, 1982, will be offered two weeks later in Hong Kong on May 31. Prior to sales, the three works will be unveiled in New York for an exhibition running from April 8 to 14, followed by a tour in Los Angeles from April 23 to 25, which will mark the last time they will be exhibited together.
At the head of the group of works proposed is Untitled (ELMAR), created in 1982 and acquired by the Pellizzi family only two years later. Nearly eight feet wide, the monumental work is a cornerstone of Basquiat's golden year, during which he transitioned from street art to gallery success. Emblematic of Basquiat's best work, Untitled (ELMAR) is rich in iconography and self-referential imagery. To the left, a bird-like “fallen angel” figure adorned with the recurring motif of the crown of thorns – which doubles as a halo – hovers above a bright blue sea of scribbled waves and the text “ELMAR,” suggesting a modern-day Icarus on the brink of descent. On the right, a radiant archer, also crowned, shoots two arrows in his direction. Untitled (ELMAR) ultimately reflects Basquiat's exploration of duality within his own identity and encapsulates the essence of the artist at the height of his creative powers.
Untitled (ELMAR) has a significant history
The work was included in an exhibition dedicated to the Francesco Pellizzi Collection at the Hofstra Museum in New York in 1989, and later presented at the Gagosian in Los Angeles as part of a commemorative exhibition in 1998, marking the tenth anniversary of Basquiat's death. It was notably featured on the cover of the accompanying catalogue. Most recently, the work was prominently displayed in the artist's landmark 2018 retrospective at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris. Basquiat's revolutionary transition from street art to canvas reached a pivotal moment in 1981, as seen in Untitled (Portrait of a Famous Ballplayer). This seminal piece, performed during a transformative period in Basquiat's career, stands as a testament to his exploration of race, identity, and American culture, which would last for the remainder of his career. It has been displayed in landmark exhibitions such as Nosei's Jean-Michel Basquiat memorial exhibition, which opened in December 1988, just months after his passing and coinciding with what would have been the artist's 28th birthday. In Untitled (Portrait of a Famous Ballplayer), Basquiat juxtaposes the symbols of “all-American” sports with his depiction of a black central figure wearing a baseball uniform, as well as its distinctive text and crown motifs. Basquiat challenges social norms and confronts stereotypes, inviting viewers into a complex dialogue about inclusion and exclusion in American culture. Basquiat’s use of the phrase “FAMOUS NEGRO ATHLETES” (with “NEGRO ATHLETES” clearly crossed out) serves as a powerful commentary on race, identity, and representation. It also reflects Basquiat's personal experiences as a black artist living and working in a predominantly white art world.
Jean-Michel Basquiat is a perfect example of this, with Asian collectors drawn to the artist's work, which resonates deeply with the rich artistic traditions of the region. In 2022, Phillips sold Untitled, 1982, from the collection of Japanese entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa, and the buyer was also a private collector in Asia. Given Basquiat's enduring appeal and resonance in Asia, Phillips presents Native Carrying Some Guns, Bibles, Amorites on Safari, 1982, at Phillips Hong Kong on May 31. In this work, a black figure dominates the canvas with arms raised, facing a colonial poacher. The artwork blends intricate drawings with street art gestures and addresses significant topics such as slavery and empire. Through direct representation and the incorporation of text, Basquiat critiques colonial trade, encapsulating his larger themes of colonization, commercialization, and African American history. Reduced to caricatures, the figures symbolize the “native” and the “colonizer,” evoking explicit criticism of white imperialism.
