After Basquiat

Rebecca Howdeshell
After Basquiat
Mixed media on paper
2021

Rebecca Howdeshell presented After Basquiat to the library the year of her retirement as Bridwell Library Digital Projects Librarian. A prolific artist, her work in fiber and on paper is typically non-representational, yet makes potent reference to sights and situations of daily life.

“Recently the family of Jean-Michel Basquiat organized and curated an exhibition of over two hundred paintings, drawings, ephemera, and artifacts from his estate, titled King Pleasure. In reading about this exhibition, it re-kindled a fascination of the mark-making from Basquiat’s personal life and the time in which he lived.”

Rebecca is a native of Dallas. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in art education at the University of Oklahoma, and after some years working in Washington and New York returned to Texas. She studied studio arts, received a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of North Texas, and was invited to teach design and fiber arts. Subsequent study at UNT toward a Master degree in Library Science included a practicum in the Bywaters Collection of Hamon Arts Library. Rebecca’s involvement in digitizing the working slides of sculptor Octavo Medellin prepared for her move to Bridwell in 2010 where she established protocols, acquired professional equipment, and managed the electronic sharing of Special Collections.

In addition to many other contributions to the Bridwell Library program Rebecca created online exhibitions and digital collections, designed the initial publications of the Bridwell Press (providing original illustrations for one), curated exhibitions, supported researchers, students, and interns, and generated social media informational pieces for Special Collections.