On September 11, 1982 Jean-Michel Basquiat flew to Zurich for his solo show at Galerie Bruno Bischofberger, with his assistant Stephen Torton. The painting Four Big (1982), was among the artworks exhibited.

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Upon their arrival, Basquiat found out that there was no opening party. Torton recalled “there was this expression on Jean-Michel’s face, as if he had imagined he had become a famous artist, and maybe he wasn’t. It was touching.”

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Instead they decided to turn the trip into a pleasure spree. The mountains and snowflake represent the addiction to the white powder of the two men.

 

One of the reason, Basquiat wanted to work with Bruno Bischofberger was his connection with Warhol. Indeed the art dealer will introduce the two artists a few weeks later in New York.

 

Sources: Basquiat: A Quick Killing in Art - By Phoebe Hoban