“A patch of wall painted by Samo, the omnipresent graffiti sloganeer, was a knockout combination of de Kooning and subway spray-paint scribbles” - Jeffrey Deitch (p. 61)art in america, september 1980
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Perhaps the first positive ‘review’ of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s work, Jeffrey Deitch’s article on The Times Square Show (TSS) was one of a handful which specifically referenced the Artist’s contributions under his SAMO alias. Presciently utilizing a boxing analogy, Deitch highlighted Jean-Michel’s talent for blending Art Historical precedent (via de Kooning) with the raw, powerful immediacy of the NYC streets. Organized by Colab artists Tom Otterness and John Ahearn, TSS was Basquiat’s first major public exhibition. Despite the collaboration between Al Díaz and Basquiat ending prior to the opening, Jean-Michel would continue to be identified as SAMO© until as late as May 1981 for his first solo gallery exhibition with Emilio Mazzoli.
Relevant Article: Jeffrey Deitch, “Report from Times Square” pgs. 58-63
Art in America
Vol. 68, No. 7, September 1980
Ed. Elizabeth C. Baker
keywords: basquiat; times square show; colab; jeffrey deitch; samo
