Bruno Bischofberger, who served as Jean-Michel Basquiat's exclusive worldwide dealer from 1982 until the artist's death in 1988, reflects on Basquiat's life and legacy in an excerpt from the forthcoming book *Basquiat: The World of Jean-Michel*, published by Assouline. Bischofberger contrasts Basquiat's raw, politically charged approach with Andy Warhol's detached, commercial style, and recounts personal memories of Basquiat's visits to Switzerland, where he absorbed everything from visual art to folk art and design.
This article matters because it offers a rare first-hand account from the dealer who shaped Basquiat's market and career during his most productive years. As Basquiat's influence continues to grow globally—driven by digital culture and identity politics—Bischofberger's perspective helps contextualize how the artist became an enduring icon whose work challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about history, race, and society.