Soho Contemporary Art Features Iconic Artists Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat in “Back to the Bowery” Exhibition
Soho Contemporary Art is pleased to present Back to the Bowery, a sale and exhibition scheduled to run April 10th until April 24th featuring iconic artists Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat from 1980-1990.
New York, New York (March 31, 2014) — Soho Contemporary Art is pleased to present Back to the Bowery, a sale and exhibition scheduled to run April 10th until April 24th featuring iconic artists Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat from 1980-1990. The show is bringing "back to The Bowery" two artists that began their careers in a then depressed area of New York city. The April 10th VIP reception will embrace guest speakers Paul Tschinkel, documentary filmmaker, and art historian, Marc H. Miller at an invitation only preview event. Back to the Bowery will expose collectors to a significant selection of "rare" pieces for purchase.
Soho Contemporary Art is a continuation and rebirth of the artists that dominated The Bowery in the eighties, a time when both Basquiat and Haring became the epicenter for the emerging group of artists that blurred the lines between "Street Art" and "Fine Art”. Back to the Bowery focuses on bringing innovator and visionary Keith Haring back to his early roots on The Bowery. While Haring began to utilize blank billboards in subways and public spaces with chalk drawings and stylized graffiti Basquiat’s SAMO© (same old shit) became a recognized motif challenging oppressive power structures and racism while celebrating musicians and athletes of African descent.
Both artists have roots as "Street Artists" on and around The Bowery and Lower East Side of Manhattan. Both artists died young leaving a finite amount of work which has continued to increase in value, and now what remains is a "scarcity" of available art for acquisition. Haring and Basquiat continue influence the world of contemporary art which is at an unprecedented level of popularity and market value and shows no sign of relenting. The opportunity to acquire originals becomes less achievable each year. In life and in death, by asserting the collective voice of social commentary and replacing desolation with art Haring and Basquiat joined a legacy of exceedingly collectible Bowery based artists such as Robert Indiana and Roy Lichtenstein.
Soho Contemporary Art embodies a rebirth of the artists that dominated The Bowery in the eighties. It is nestled blocks away from the Houston Mural, Haring’s first major outdoor mural which became his catalyst for large scale work and consequently made the wall the most coveted by artists in New York in recent years. Amid the New Museum, high end retail, art and fine dining destinations The Bowery is now a far cry from the impoverished skid row streets it was known for flooded with drugs, prostitution from the 1940’s until the 1990’s. Neighbored by notable landmark establishments Soho Contemporary Art is expanding its reputation as a gallery lead by owner Rick Rounick who has 3 decades experience selling and collecting Contemporary Art. When Rounick decided to open Soho Contemporary Art, he was instinctively led to The Bowery where the roots of Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat's art are firmly planted.
Rounick states, "Back To The Bowery revisits a "radiant" period in the New York art scene when creativity and collaboration in art, music and letters was the norm not the exception. Our very presence on The Bowery is a long term commitment to continuing the tradition of art in the neighborhood as well introducing new artists as they come along. We are very excited to be part of the neighborhood and look forward to many successful years here."
Soho Contemporary Art will feature at least four shows in 2014 by major artists or major Pop Culture figures including a young street artist who overcame his disability through his art. The gallery continues to seek new talent and are currently cultivating two new artists. The gallery’s vision is to sell art to established and beginning collectors interested in investment quality contemporary art in the best condition by seasoned art consultants who offer exceptional experience and service and honor the creative roots of the now historic district.
