Here is Jean-Michel photographed in 1984 at Andy Warhol’s Factory spending a light moment with a playful pug owned by the fabulously eccentric Brigid Berlin, a central part of Warhol’s inner circle for over twenty years.
Described by John Waters as “big, often naked and ornery as hell,” Berlin starred in a number of the Factory’s films, and was famously known for speaking on the phone with Andy Warhol every day at 9 am from 1964 to 1987. Jean-Michel was a frequent visitor to the Factory and became an active collaborator with Warhol on a number of key artworks, prompting fellow artist Keith Haring to share the following thoughts in his 1988 essay, Painting the Third Mind:
“Jean brought back a much-needed touch of mischief that had been disappearing from the Factory agenda. But, he also brought an atmosphere of obsessive production that left its mark long after the collaborations had stopped.”
Learn more about Jean-Michel's work and worldview from the people who knew him best in the Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure© Exhibition catalog.
Photos: (Jean-Michel Basquiat with Pug) Andy Warhol, 1984; (Brigid Berlin) Gerard Malanga, 1971.
Source: Nancy Hass, “Brigid Berlin, Andy Warhol’s Most Enduring Friend,” New York Times. June 21, 2021.
