The Brooklyn Nets looked over 300 submissions and selected artwork by nine Bridges students to be part of 150 student pieces on display at the “I Am Multi Layered” Basquiat-inspired Project Student Exhibition at Barclays Center open to the public August 8-9. In addition to the 9 physical works on display, 39 amazing Bridges Basquiat-inspired student artworks will be exhibited on the NY Nets/Barclays website as well as the NYC Department of Education website.
The free-admission gallery will be open to the public on Sunday, Aug. 8 and Monday, Aug. 9 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. and located in the arena’s Geico Atrium. The private opening for the students will take place on Saturday, Aug. 7 from 4-6 p.m. For a look at some of the art that will be featured in person and online at Barclays Center, please check out the show’s website.
Read what some of our artists have to say about their work and the experience below.
My goal with my artwork is to inspire. Basquiat was an amazing artist in the way that he could take so many different symbols and make it into something inspiring. What I did was take each and everyone of those symbols that inspired me from Basquiat’s art work to create a piece that I felt represented him but also represented me. The main message of my peace is to find something that inspires you. —Burke
I am really excited to share my artwork as part of the Basquiat Project Student Exhibition! Studying Basquiat has helped me look at and think about the world in so many different ways. It has also helped me better understand myself and inspired me to express myself in new ways through art. —Gabriel
My work is supposed to make you want to explore the treacherous, uninhabitable places of your mind. It’s supposed to make you think. That said, I’m honored that it made you think, so much so as to feature it at the Barclay’s Center. —Kamora
My piece is a redesign of an original Basquiat classic. He often painted skulls and I thought it would be cool to paint one of his skulls combined with collage in a realistic style. I feel honored that my piece was selected to be viewed. —Sophie
Having my artwork on display is exciting and I am very honoured to have the privilege of showing my art to others. Showing art allows a message to be relayed and that is very important, especially when we are going through a pandemic when people are communicating less. –Alea
I was inspired and could relate to Jean-Michel Basquiat and the way he used art as social commentary. My art teacher Ms. Rosario encouraged us to not seek perfection but to seek expression. This project was very rewarding, plus it was very fulfilling and fun to do. —Cameron
