The Making of an Icon: How Basquiat Became a Global Brand

AN HCNY Event
 

Join the Harvard Black Alumni Society at the Harvard Club for a compelling discussion with Doug Woodham on his book, Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Making of an Icon.

Jean-Michel Basquiat’s rise from a young artist navigating downtown New York in the early 1980s to one of the most powerful artistic brands of our time is one of the most extraordinary stories in contemporary culture. When a Basquiat painting sold for $110.5 million in 2017, he entered the exclusive “$100 million club” alongside Picasso and Modigliani. Today, his cultural presence is so pervasive that he regularly appears as a clue on Jeopardy!.

Basquiat’s meteoric ascent was not driven by artistic brilliance alone. It was fueled by a dynamic network of dealers, collectors, and tastemakers who helped transform his work into cultural currency.

Doug Woodham, former President of the Americas at Christie’s and former McKinsey & Company partner, offers an insider’s perspective on how artistic legacy and market forces converge to create a global icon.

The Harvard Club of NY invites Harvard Black Alumni Society members to participate in this unique event as part of our Black History Month collaboration.  Do not miss this fascinating exploration of art, commerce, and cultural power!

Space is limited, sign-up today!

Tuesday, February 17

7:00-8:00PM