Basquiat T-Shirt - Off-White, "Untitled (Male Mandrill)"

This captivating t-shirt features one of Jean-Michel's rarely-seen drawings, a male mandrill sketched using colored pencil and graphite on paper. The piece also includes a hand-hewn copyright symbol, this was Basquiat's way of referencing the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of Black artists, who have been historically marginalized. 

Finished with a crew neck, short sleeves and Basquiat: King Pleasure© Exhibition logo tab on the left sleeve, this soft, 100% cotton t-shirt shows off Basquiat's playful side and makes an eye-catching gift layered in meaning.

Product details:

• 100% Cotton
• Machine wash
• Round neck
• Short sleeves
• Straight hem
• Size: XS-2XL
  
• Made in Portugal

About the artwork:

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled (Male Mandrill), n.d.    

Using colored pencil and graphite on paper, Jean-Michel created this drawing of a male mandrill replete with his iconic copyright symbol. This represents one of the pieces rarely (if ever) seen by the general public before it was included in the Jean-Michel Basquiat King Pleasure© Exhibition. The piece echoes the imagery in Dry Cell, a painting Jean-Michel did for his dad in 1988.

The copyright symbol "©" can be found frequently in the works of Jean-Michel Basquiat, whether it be in his notebook texts or larger compositions. This symbol serves as a means for him to assert ownership over words and ideas, as well as a commentary on consumer culture. He used the symbols as a way to challenge the traditional power dynamics in the art world, where the artist's rights are often not protected. Additionally, The copyright symbol represented a commentary on consumer culture and the commodification of art and ideas in the world.

© Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Licensed by Artestar, New York

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