“Basquiat has absorbed every trick in contemporary painting's book at an astoundingly early age. He's so precocious he's practically old before his time and his sensibility seems very European, also in an old vein. In a word, it turns out that graffiti art can have the hell domesticated out of it." - Roberta Smith (p. 84)The village Voice, March 23, 1982
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Jean-Michel Basquiat’s first solo exhibition at Annina Nosei Gallery elicited no shortage of opinions within the Art Criticism community. Indeed, in the March 23, 1982 issue of the Village Voice there were two distinct voices opining on his premier show: Kim Levin’s and Roberta Smith’s.
Levin’s brief summary in the periodical’s “Survey of the Week’s Events” was simultaneously patronizing and complementary noting “it’s the most sophisticated primitive art ever”. Smith’s was largely critical noting, interestingly, that the work appeared too ‘tame’ and ‘graphic design’-like.
This issue also includes an article by Peter Schjeldahl on David Salle’s tri-opening at Leo Castelli Gallery and both Mary Boone’s Galleries.
Relevant Articles: Kim Levin, “An Opinionated Survey of the Week’s Events”, n.n.; Roberta Smith, “Mass Productions", pgs. 84-85
The Village Voice
Vol. XXVII, No. 12, March 23, 1982
keywords: basquiat; samo; david salle; leo castelli; mary boone
