In his career, Julian Schnabel has worked in many locations and used a wide array of artistic media. A visual artist, Schnabel's tools include those of a painter, sculptor, photographer, and film director. He will be delivering a lecture titled, "Learn How to Make Indian Jewelry from a Real Indian" in Kresge Auditorium Saturday at 5 p.m.
Schnabel was born in New York City and eventually moved to Brownsville, Texas, with his family. He received a BFA from the University of Houston in 1973 before returning to New York to participate in the Whitney Museum Independent Study Program.
During his travels in Europe in 1978, Schnabel was particularly struck by the architecture of Antonio Gaudi. His solo work was first displayed in 1979 at the Mary Boone Gallery in New York City and has since been exhibited throughout the world. Schnabel's work was brought to the attention of those beyond the art world through his unusual use of broken plates and crockery as canvas. He came to prominence in the 1980s as a leading figure in the neo-expressionism movement.
"Schnabel is a major, major figure in the art world," said Visual Art Professor Mark Wethli.
Wethli said that he has heard rumors that many artists from the far reaches of Maine are making their way to Bowdoin for the lecture.
Schnabel's first film, "Basquiat," premiered in 1996 and was an official selection of the Venice Film Festival.
In 2000, Schnabel's second film, "Before Night Falls," was released. The film chronicles the life of Cuban novelist Reinaldo Arenas, and actor Javier Bardem's portrayal of the writer earned the him recognition at the Venice Film Festival, as well as Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for best actor. "Before Night Falls" was featured on over 100 top 10 lists by the year's end.
The direction, photography, and painting involved in the Red Hot Chili Peppers's album "By the Way" is also the work of this artist.
Schnabel's life is set against a diversity of backdrops, as he and his family split their time between New York City; Montauk, New York; and San Sebastian, Spain.