The Basquiat x Banksy exhibition at the Hirshhorn Museum represents a landmark moment—not just for fans of these two iconic artists, but for contemporary art itself. Running as part of the museum’s celebratory 50th-anniversary season, the exhibition marks the first occasion that works by either Jean-Michel Basquiat or Banksy have been shown at America’s national museum of modern and contemporary art. The pairing is as provocative as it is insightful, placing Basquiat’s 1982 painting Boy and Dog in a Johnnypump in direct conversation with Banksy’s 2018 artistic reply, Banksquiat. Boy and Dog in Stop and Search.
Iconic Voices Collide in Artistic Dialogue: Basquiat x Banksy
Through the intersection of street art, contemporary art, and cultural imagination, Basquiat x Banksy reveals powerful throughlines that highlight similarities and contrasts between the two creators. Basquiat, whose raw, unfiltered aesthetic helped define New York’s vibrant 1980s art scene, is counterpointed by Banksy’s politically charged, anonymous works that emerged from the streets of Bristol. This juxtaposition is both thought-provoking and dynamic, inviting viewers to explore themes of identity, rebellion, and social commentary.
Accompanying these centerpiece paintings is a curated selection of 20 works on paper and wood by Basquiat from 1979 to 1985, courtesy of the collection of Larry Warsh collection. The exhibition also includes screenings of the film Downtown 81, featuring a young Basquiat himself as an emerging artist navigating Manhattan’s underground.
Curated by Museum Assistant Curator Betsy Johnson, the Basquiat x Banksy exhibition will remain on display through October 26, 2025.
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