"I never saw a more brilliant artist at work than Jean Michel. The creative energy and inspiration just poured out of him. Jean Michel had a very intense and mercurial personality, but when he arrived that day, he was reflective, quiet and friendly."
Collect an original photograph of Basquiat signed by the photographer who took it.
330 Ocean Pkwy D2,
Brooklyn, NY 11218
+1 (917)374-2315
rick@rickschwab.net
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About Jean Michel Basquiat's Photos
Now you can own an original photograph of Jean Michel Basquiat signed by the photographer who took it.
My name is Rick Schwab and I am a professional photographer in New York City. I got my start in professional photography by photographing fine art for Bruno Bischofberger Gallery. His artists included Andy Warhol, Julian Schnabel and Jean Michel Basquiat. My ex-wife Beth Phillips, was Buno’s gallery assistant in New York. I taught her how to photograph artwork as well, so we could cover all of Bruno’s needs during a period of explosive growth in the art world.
In March of 1984, Bruno asked if he could ship a group of paintings that Jean Michel had created that winter at Larry Gagosian’s studio in Los Angeles to our loft in Chelsea. That way, Jean Michel could stop by to inspect the condition of the works and sign any that weren’t signed. The next day, we photographed all the art, and Hahn bros. shipped it all to Europe. Jean Michel arrived at my studio the day the paintings were dropped off.
We were alone. I had worked for Jean Michel before, photographing his work in his Great Jones St. studio while he painted nearby in the same room. I never saw a more brilliant artist at work than Jean Michel. The creative energy and inspiration just poured out of him. Jean Michel had a very intense and mercurial personality, but when he arrived that day, he was reflective, quiet and friendly.
After looking over the art, we talked for a bit, and it was then that Jean Michel asked if I could take some photos of him. I loaded my camera with black and white negative film and took 16 photos. After that, Andy came by and the 2 of them went out for the evening.
Later that week and afterwards, I printed several 8x10s of some of the images and gave them away to Jean Michel, Andy, Bruno and others. My plan was to eventually create a portfolio of the images and sell editions of individual prints. After many years as a very busy commercial photographer, I am finally doing it.
All images are registered with the US Copyrights Registry. Any unauthorized use can be prosecuted.
Rick Schwab, November 2022
