Austrian universal artist André Heller faces allegations of forgery after what he describes as a “childish joke”. As the work of the well-known American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988), he presented a self-made photo frame and had it exhibited in various galleries.
Basquiat was the first black artist to break into what was then a white-dominated art scene. His works are attributed to neo-expressionism. The American artist, whose mother was a Puerto Rican and a father from Haiti, also occasionally collaborated with the legendary Andy Warhol. Basquiat’s works are among the most sought after on the art market.
“Stupid mix of fiction and truth”
In an interview with the weekly Falter, Heller says that he once saw the American making a picture frame in his studio in New York. The Austrian built such a frame. In his own words, he wanted to put the Austrian art historian Dieter Buchhart, who is considered a Basquiat expert, to the test. “In hindsight, it’s all a childish joke in the first place. Second, it naturally shows off. And third, it’s a crazy mix of fiction and truth. A private fairy tale’, the multimedia artist justifies himself as ‘Falter’. Buchhart even believed it to be a Basquiat picture frame.
It was subsequently exhibited and offered for sale at several art fairs in 2017. The list had already been published in an art catalog a year earlier. The frame was not sold at a fair, but later privately. Heller emphasizes, however, that the sales contract clearly stated that there was no certificate of authenticity. According to research by “Falter”, 800,000 euros would have flown as part of the sale. Originally Heller even wanted to see about three million euros for it.
Heller bought frames again
According to reports, Heller has since bought back his frame. “I am a happy person and I am not endangering myself by being accused of forgery,” the 75-year-old, who also works as an art manager, told the weekly.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
