A sculptural frame by Jean-Michel Basquiat that sold for $3 million at TEFAF in 2017 has been revealed to be the work of Austrian musician and artist André Heller.Is this a case of betrayal forgery Or, as the artist described to the German press this week, a “childish prank”?
Heller glued Basquiat’s sketch to a piece of wood, painted it red, and hammered in a nail and a black broomstick. Austrian news magazine with framed authentic Basquiat portrait acquired by Heller in 1990 Falter reported on Tuesday.
“Looking back, first of all, it’s all childish pranks. Second, it’s naturally boastful. And third, it’s a ridiculous mixture of fiction and truth,” said Heller. . flinch “It’s just a personal fairy tale.”
The 1987 work “Untitled (Frame)” was exhibited by Vienna’s gallery Wienreuter & Kohlbacher, known for its fine selection of fine art and antiques. The drawings and frames were sold for his $2 million and hers $3 million respectively. No buyer was found at that time.
The article cites a conversation between Heller and Basquiat expert and art historian Dieter Butchart, in which the two discussed picture frames. When asked why he lied, Heller replied, “Buchhart gave the impression that he was the greatest Basquiat lover on the planet.” Heller added that he wanted to “test” Buchhart’s expertise with frames.
It was plausible that Heller met Basquiat in 1987. flinchapparently shocked to learn that the frame is not a real Basquiat.
“So [Heller] He lied to me, he said. “can’t believe it”
In a statement to ARTnews, Buchhart said:
“As part of an interview with André Heller on June 1, 2016, Heller said that the production of a frame containing a small fragment of a drawing by Basquiat was made by Basquiat. I didn’t, and I never claimed to have.”
Although the piece failed to sell at TEFAF, the Basquiat and Heller amalgam eventually attracted collectors’ interest. The Viennese artist Amir Shariat, his manager, purchased the drawing from the gallery for a client, and the frame was returned to Heller — until Shariat’s client purchased it in his 2018. Falters Research, 800,000 euros.
Heller argued that the sales contract for the frame did not include a certificate of authenticity, and Heller’s lawyers said in a statement that both Heller and the gallery were frames with Basquiat’s sketches separately attached. I considered
In an interview, Shariat denounced this defense: That’s what Heller said. ”
For his part, Heller has refuted the counterfeit allegations and has since bought back the frame.