Exhibition, St. Moritz

Jean-Michel Basquiat. Engadin

14 December 2024 – 29 March 2025

Hauser & Wirth St. Moritz
Via Serlas 22
7500 St. Moritz

Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Swiss Reverie: A Landmark Exhibition at Hauser & Wirth St. Moritz

This winter, Hauser & Wirth St. Moritz opens its doors to a truly special event: Jean-Michel Basquiat. Engadin, an exhibition that captures the artist’s unique bond with Switzerland, unveiling works inspired by his time immersed in its breathtaking landscapes and cultural heritage. Opening on December 14, 2024, this exhibition offers a rare glimpse into a formative chapter of Basquiat’s career, tracing the path from his first introduction to Swiss audiences in 1982 at the Galerie Bruno Bischofberger in Zurich, to the many visits that followed.

Basquiat’s connection to Switzerland was profound and enduring. He returned time and again – over a dozen visits – drawn to the distinct charm of places like St. Moritz, Zurich, Appenzell, and Basel. Among these, the Engadine region held a special place in his heart, infusing his art with a touch of its alpine majesty. Even after he returned to New York, the impressions left by Switzerland continued to inspire his work, reflected in pieces that combined his unmistakable visual language with elements reminiscent of the Swiss landscape and culture.

Jean-Michel Basquiat – The Dutch Settlers 1982 – Acrylic and oil stick on canvas 183x 549 cm/72x 2161/8in

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

Nicola Erni Collection. Photo: Reto Pedrini Photography

The exhibition will be complemented by a meticulously crafted catalog, published by Hauser & Wirth Publishers. It features a foreword by the influential art dealer Bruno Bischofberger and insightful commentary by Dr. Dr. Dieter Buchhart, adding layers of context to this singular period in Basquiat’s career. The curatorial expertise of Dr. Dr. Dieter Buchhart and Dr. Anna Karina Hofbauer, both highly regarded authorities on Basquiat, ensures an experience that is both thoughtful and enlightening.

Basquiat, whose work has left an indelible mark on contemporary art, brought a rare intensity to his exploration of identity, culture, and legacy. Jean-Michel Basquiat. Engadin invites art lovers to engage with his story through the lens of a place that profoundly shaped him. This exhibition at Hauser & Wirth St. Moritz transcends the ordinary, serving as both a celebration of Basquiat’s extraordinary journey and a testament to the enduring power of inspiration drawn from nature and place.