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Metallica's Lars Ulrich Selling Off Basquiat's 'Boxer'
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"Untitled (The Boxer)" Jean-Michel Basquiat, 1982
Predominantly known for pounding the skins in time to the scientifically precise rhythms of Kirk Hammett's guitar or the rough-hewn vocals of James Hetfield, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich will fill a decidedly different--though to him, fairly commonplace--role next month: art connoisseur.
According to the New York Times, the man revered by black T-shirt wearers everywhere for his percussive brilliance on records like "One" and "Seek and Destroy" has consigned the last of his works by renowned 1980s painter Jean-Michel Basquiat to the auction block. Christie's will be handing off Basquiat's "Untitled (Boxer)" to the highest bidder come November 12 in New York City. It is expected to fetch anywhere from $12 to $16 million, which would be a record for a Basquiat.
Clearly, in these tough economic times, Ulrich--among many others--is counting on the art market to be something a safe haven. So far, he would appear to be correct.
"It's perhaps the last frontier where the best of the best will not go the way of the rest of the economy," said Ulrich to the Times.
An avid collector, Ulrich purchased the piece in 1999, after seeing it at a Vienna art show. One of several Basquiats owned at one time by the drummer, it has since appeared in exhibits in Brooklyn, Houston and Los Angeles. Christie's will be displaying the painting Friday in its London gallery on King Street, in time for the Frieze Art Fair next week.
Well, one thing's for certain. Ulrich, who once famously battled music fans who made the mistake of trying to enjoy his music without proper payment, has found a way to weather the economic storm.
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