A COLLABORATION SHOWCASING 21 PAINTINGS FROM BASQUIAT’S 21ST YEAR
DC Shoes proudly honors the legacy of Jean-Michel Basquiat with a footwear and apparel collection dropping August 7 that features twenty-one paintings from the artist’s most prolific year.
During the 1981-82 period when Basquiat was just 21 years old, he engaged in a flurry of productivity, creating some of his most transformative work and staking his place in both the art world and our culture at large.
Born in the streets, graffiti and skateboarding are intrinsically linked with the ‘80s counterculture.
As a brand rooted in skateboarding and streetwear, DC’s collision of 90’s East Coast style and West Coast creativity aligns naturally with Jean-Michel Basquiat’s voice and vision.
It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not.
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Basquiat immersed himself in the creative underground and was one of the first artists to bring street culture to the world of fine art. He blew the doors wide open to artists of color, who were extremely underrepresented in the contemporary fine art world at the time. Basquiat's fame rose to dizzying heights in the international fine art scene in just a few short years; his impact is never forgotten. Basquiat's life has been documented in two feature films, and timeless artwork lives on through product collaborations like these that bring fine art outside the gallery and into the lives of everyday people.
Pro Skateboarder Jamir Brown @jahbulbatron wears the DC Basquiat Hybrid
The Basquiat Hybrid is a collection hero, offering a never-seen-before mashup shoe that combines two game-changing DC Heritage styles—the Lynx OG and Legacy OG. Another highlight is the DC Manual Hi which is boldly emblazoned with 21 different pieces of Basquiat’s 1982 body of work. The collection is expansive and includes three extremely limited skate decks. In true Basquiat style, it's chaotically beautiful, and that's exactly as intended.
This DC collaboration is a fitting tribute to Basquiat’s journey from street artist to one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
DC X BASQUIAT collection is available August 7, 2021, and available at dcshoes.com and select retailers worldwide.
DC x Basquiat Limited Edition Skate Decks
Media Notes
- View and select high res images here in the gallery
- Samples are available for loan on request
- Please credit any images featuring Jahmir Brown as Pro Skateboarder or Skateboarder, Jahmir Brown.
About DC
Since 1994, DC Shoes has been committed to progression—from game-changing skate shoe designs to supporting the most groundbreaking skateboarders, snowboarders, and artists in the world. DC helped shape modern collaboration culture by pioneering partnerships with the likes of Supreme, FTP, Shepard Fairey, and Buscemi. In 2021, DC continues to push the envelope with more exciting collaborations. dcshoes.com @dcshoes @dc_womens
Artestar
This partnership was made in collaboration with Artestar, a global licensing agency and creative consultancy representing high-profile artists, photographers, designers, and creatives. artestar.com