Beyoncé-Basquiat controversy
Plus: major Lucian Freud exhibition coming to National Gallery
This edition of the maxwell museums newsletter was sent to subscribers on 27 August 2021
Happy Friday! And happy bank holiday weekend to my readers in England and Wales (sorry Scotland).
The August bank holiday marks the end of summer (boo!) and ushers in the return of autumn. Bad news for fans of BBQs, rooftop bars and light evenings, but great news for culture lovers as its means museums and galleries will be unveiling a raft of major new shows. Autumn is blockbuster season, and there is a hell of a lot going on this year. I suggest having a browse of this excellent round-up of what’s coming up from the Guardian. I’ve definitely got my eye on that Anish Kapoor exhibition at Modern Art Oxford.
Now, let’s get on to that Beyoncé story…
Maxwell
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This week’s top story
It’s a first for this newsletter as Beyoncé leads this week’s news. It’s all because on Monday Tiffany & Co. unveiled a major new campaign dubbed “About Love” featuring the singing star and husband Jay-Z. The Carters pose alongside Equals Pi a painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat, a canvas whose primary color is (apparently) the brand’s signature robin’s egg blue. People magazine says that the Basquiat work comes from the artist’s “private collection” and is “making its first ever public appearance in this campaign.” (and let’s note the 128-carat, $30 million yellow Tiffany diamond Beyoncé wears, only the 4th person to ever to do so). People
BUT! Controversy has rained down on the new ad campaign. No room here to go into the ‘blood diamond’ accusation which Beyonce’s mum was brought in to defend, but plenty of space to mention the rather ‘complex’ provenance of the Basquiat painting. Far from never having been seen before, it appeared for auction at Sotheby’s London twice in the 90s. And it hasn’t come from the artist’s ‘private collection’ but a series of owners, the most recent being the Milan-based Sabbadini jewellery dynasty. Plus, the idea that Basquiat was definitely using the colour in homage to Tiffany needs to be taken with a truck-load of salt. And just to add one more front, social media was outraged that the artist’s work would be used for such a capitalist project.
Perhaps the campaign launch has therefore been a disaster. Or perhaps the fact that Tiffany & Co. is being talked about all over the world (including these 300 words) is the point all along. For the best explainer of what this art, fashion and brand mash-up all means, I heartily recommend this piece from GQ.
This week’s other stories
Mark your diaries! The National Gallery in London has announced a major Lucian Freud exhibition in 2022 to mark the artist’s centenary. There’ll be more than 60 loans from around the world, including a portrait of the Queen looking like a corgi. Apparently. The Guardian
It’s curtain up on a major refresh of the V&A’s theatre and performing arts galleries. A rolling programme of new material will go on display each month and first up are the thigh-high red leather boots from the musical Kinky Boots and the dress Sandie Shaw wore while performing the winning song Puppet on a String at 1967’s Eurovision. The Guardian
A new ‘trademark’ abstract sculpture by Antony Gormley has been installed on the façade of a 14th century cathedral in Somerset. It’s called DOUBT. I really love it, but some locals have, er, doubts… BBC News
The 1911 Queen Victoria memorial outside Buckingham Palace has been vandalised with fake blood to protest the “the royal families [sic] crimes against animals and our planet.” MyLondon
Yes, apparently the Museum of Brexit is still a thing. There are now 3 sites in the running to be the venue’s home, none are in London. What a loss. Guido Fawkes
Berlin has reopened yet another major museum just weeks after the Humboldt Forum. The Neue Nationalgalerie has been closed for six years but is back after a €140 million refurb by iconic British architect David Chipperfield. It’s opened with a show of works by sculptor Alexander Calder. GET ME THERE NOW PLEASE. The Herald
In other museum revamp news, the Mingei International Museum in San Diego, a little-known treasure trove of folk art and design, will reopen next month after a transformative $55m renovation and expansion. The Art Newspaper
Love art, museums and galleries? Then my newsletter is for you, keeping you up-to-date on what to read - and what to see. Subscribe below (it’s free!)