Photography by Paige Powell. On view is a series of black and white 35mm nude portraits of Basquiat made in 1983 in Powell's during two year relationship. The images show the painter relaxed, drawing while watching cartoons.
Suzanne Geiss Company is pleased to present Jean-Michel
Basquiat, Reclining Nude, an exhibition of rare candid
photographs of Jean-Michel Basquiat taken by Paige Powell.
This is the first presentation of photographs from Powell’s
comprehensive archive, a significant chronicle of 1980’s art
and culture in America. Her work offers uncommon glimpses
into the lives of artists and friends who participated in
the cultural transformations of the era.
On view is a series of black and white 35mm nude portraits
of Jean-Michel Basquiat made in 1983 in Powell’s then
Upper West Side apartment. Like many nights during Powell
and Basquiat’s two year relationship, the images show the
painter relaxed on a futon, drawing while watching cartoons.
Earlier that year, Powell used the apartment to show work by
Basquiat, AOne, and Rammellzee. Several of the paintings are
visible on the walls of the living room where Basquiat
reclines. The photographs were taken with Powell’s Canon
camera, which she carried with her everywhere.
Paige Powell moved to New York City from Portland, Oregon
in 1980 with the intent of working for Interview Magazine or
Woody Allen. A few weeks after she arrived, she landed both
jobs. Interview stuck, and Powell was Advertising Associate
(later Associate Publisher) and a contributing photographer
and writer. Through her work, she became a close friend and
confidant of Andy Warhol, founder of the publication, and a
fixture at his Factory.
Powell is a photographer, curator, and animal rights
activist. She lives and works between Portland, Oregon; New
York; and Los Angeles. She is in the beginning phase of
organizing her extensive archive of photographs.
The Suzanne Geiss Company
76 Grand Street, New York, NY 10013
Open 12-6pm Tuesday-Saturday or by appointment.