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Basquiat Scholar to Speak at University of Oregon’s Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art

EUGENE, Ore. -- (April 2, 2019) –Fred Hoffman, the preeminent scholar on Jean-Michel Basquiat, will discuss the significance of Basquiat’s head imagery in a lecture on Wednesday, April 17, at 5:30 p.m. at the University of Oregon’s Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.

 

“We are excited to bring Mr. Hoffman to the university,” says Jill Hartz, JSMA’s executive director. “The museum is fortunate to be able to show a number of Basquiat works over the past few years, and we will benefit from learning more about this artist and his unique style.”

 

Hoffman worked closely with Basquiat from 1982 to 1984, during the artist's residency in Venice, California. During this time, he produced most of the artist's limited edition silkscreen prints. In 2005-6, Hoffman co-curated the artist's last American retrospective at The Brooklyn Museum., which travelled to the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles and the Houston Museum of Fine Art.

 

 “Now is the time for a deeper look into Jean-Michel Basquiat's  practice, with the goal of uncovering new insights into  his work,” says Hoffman.  “I have recently been focusing on the subject of head imagery; and interestingly, I have dedicated a great deal of time to Basquiat's painting ‘Masonic Lodge,’ a work which was on exhibition at the JSMA three years ago.”

 

Hoffman served as a member of the Authentication Committee for the estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat for several years. In 2014, he published “Jean-Michel Basquiat Drawing” in conjunction with the exhibition of the same name at Acquavella Gallery, New York and in 2017, Hoffman published “The Art of Jean-Michel Basquiat.” 

 

Fred Hoffman holds a Ph.D. from UCLA and is the author of several publications, including the major monograph/catalogue raisoneé on Chris Burden; “Keith Haring, The Birth of Wonder;” “Thoughts on the Return and Artistic Maturation of Dennis Hopper and The Art of Don Van Vliet.” Hoffman also produced two early artist books with Mike Kelley. 

 

About the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art

The University of Oregon's Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art is a premier Pacific Northwest museum for exhibitions and collections of historic and contemporary art. The mission of the museum is to enhance the University of Oregon’s academic mission and to further the appreciation and enjoyment of the visual arts for the general public.  The JSMA features significant collections galleries devoted to art from China, Japan, Korea, Europe, and the Americas as well as changing special exhibition galleries.  The JSMA is one of seven museums—and the only academic art museum-- in Oregon accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

 

The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art is located on the University of Oregon campus at 1430 Johnson Lane. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for senior citizens. Free admission is given to ages 18 and under, JSMA members, college students with ID, and University of Oregon faculty, staff and students. For information, contact the JSMA, 541-346-3027.