Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988)

"In many ways, Basquiat felt most at ease when working on paper…In contrast to the production of a painting on canvas or a mixed media assemblage, both of which a priori required Basquiat to have studio space, he could work on paper virtually anywhere, at any time. And in many ways this is precisely what occurred. Probably one of my most indelible impressions is that when he was awake he always seemed to be at work. Whether in a restaurant, car, or hotel room, he often had an oilstick or pencil in his hand, and a sheet of paper either beneath or out in front of him. Drawing could be focused on no matter where he found himself." (F. Hoffman, Jean-Michel Basquiat: Drawing, exh. cat., Acquavella, New York, 2014, p. 34)