Art Showcase to Offer Mannequin Head Sculpture by Jean-Michel Basquiat

The upcoming April live auction from Art Showcase will feature an original sculpture head attributed to Jean-Michel Basquiat. Titled Sam II, this work was created in 1985. It is comprised of acrylic and ink on a wig mannequin that bears large stereo headphones. This piece stands 12 inches high and ten inches wide. Basquiat created the sculpture for WWF professional wrestling manager Jimmy Hart (nicknamed “The Mouth of the South”). According to the auction house, Basquiat had dinner with Hart, Andy Warhol, and Andy Kauffman in March of 1985, one week before WrestleMania 1. Basquiat gifted this sculpture to Hart as a token of admiration. 

Other notable works in the catalog include an original acrylic on canvas painting by Peter Max, which shows an idyllic sunset scene, and an original etching hand-signed and numbered by Pablo Picasso. The latter work shows a group of people gathered under a tent, which may allude to a circus. The etching comes with a certificate of authenticity. Additional lots of interest include an original lithograph by Joan Miró and assorted works by Dutch American painter William Verdult, who referred to himself as “the Dutch Master.” These signed works depict subjects such as kings and queens, religious icons, and Native Americans. Over 850 lots will be presented in this sale. To view the complete Fine Art Auction catalog and browse other online auctions, visit Bidsquare.