Jean-Michel Basquiat is a very popular artist whose work is beloved by many. Unfortunately, his work has been in a negative light as of late. The FBI is an ongoing investigation about some of his paintings. There are over 20 Basquiat paintings at the Orlando Museum of Art. The FBI have interest in the exhibit, “Heroes & Monsters: Jean-Michel Basquiat” may consist of non-originals. The FBI ordered a subpoena last year to retrieve communications between the museum and owners of Basquiat’s paintings.
Orlando Museum of Art
Aaron De Groft, the owner of Basquiat’s pieces, claims they are authentic. De Groft, also is the director and chief executive of the Orlando Museum of Art. He has knowledge of the paintings. He states that Jean-Michel Basquiat created these art works in 1982 while staying in a studio in Los Angeles. According to De Groft, Basquiat sold his work to Thad Mumford, screenwriter for the 90s hit tv show “A Different World”.
After Mumford died, the paintings were held in storage. In 2012, the paintings were seized until Lee Mangan and William Force purchased the paintings. For $15,000, the paintings were on foraged cardboard. The typeface on the cardboard used for the paintings was not available until after Basquiat’s death. This might be a big clue in the investigation.
One Dealer Already Caught
Daniel Elie Bouaziz has been charged with wire fraud and money laundering for selling fake pieces of art by Jean-Michel Basquiat and other famous artists. Bouaziz’s galleries, Danieli Fine Art and Galerie Danieli sold paintings that had fake stamps of authenticity.
He buys them at a ridiculously low price and then sells them for a substantial amount. His most lucrative deal came when he sold a piece by Basquiat, in which he made millions. He purchased the painting online at LiveAuctioneers for under $500. He turned around and sold it for $12 million, unknowingly to an undercover FBI agent. The FBI spoke with a contact in Basquiat’s estate who confirmed the piece was not authentic. Bouaziz is facing 20 years in prison along with a fine of up to $500,000.
Written by: Brandon Simmons
