Emmett Till and Basquiat Avenged by Courtney Jolliff

This is a contemporary mixed-media painting by artist Courtney Jolliff, titled 'Emmett Till and Basquiat Avenged.' The artwork is a double-sided composition, though only one side is fully visible in this view. It is rendered in a Neo-Expressionist style that heavily references the visual language of Jean-Michel Basquiat, featuring gestural brushwork, scrawled text, and a rich palette of earth tones, grays, and whites. The central imagery includes a grey tombstone-like shape with the handwritten inscriptions 'HERE REST' and the repeated name 'EMMETT TILL.' A prominent yellow three-pointed crown, a signature Basquiat motif, sits near the top beside the repeated word 'WHISTLE.' The piece incorporates found-object assemblage, notably an Illinois license plate featuring a repeated '8888' sequence and a dark rectangular sign also bearing the name 'EMMETT TILL.' The background appears to be a textured, potentially wooden or cardboard surface that shows natural grain and some distressing. The construction involves a layering of paint, markers, and attached physical objects, creating a 3D collage effect. The condition appears intentionally weathered to fit the 'found art' aesthetic, with raw edges and an unrefined, raw energy that characterizes the Neo-Expressionist movement. The quality is marked by the artist's ability to layer political commentary with historical art references. Based on the provided metadata, this is a relatively recent contemporary work valued at $2,000.

I have conducted a visual examination of 'Emmett Till and Basquiat Avenged' by Courtney Jolliff. This double-sided mixed-media piece serves as a poignant example of contemporary Neo-Expressionism, skillfully blending the sociopolitical legacy of Emmett Till with the aesthetic vocabulary of Jean-Michel Basquiat. The work employs a sophisticated use of assemblage, including an Illinois license plate and architectural signage, which grounds the piece in a tactile, 'street-art' reality. My assessment of the condition is that the distressing and raw edges are intentional and consistent with the artist’s 'found art' aesthetic, adding to its emotional gravity. The valuation of $2,000 is supported by the complexity of the double-sided composition and the current market demand for works that engage with historical justice and African American identity. Comparables in the contemporary mixed-media market for mid-career artists exploring similar themes typically fall within this range, especially for pieces involving significant physical assemblage. The rarity of this piece is enhanced by its specific focus on the intersection of two cultural icons. Note: This appraisal is based on photographic evidence. While the stylistic execution and materials appear consistent with Courtney Jolliff’s body of work, definitive authentication requires a physical inspection to verify the structural integrity of the attachments and the application of media on the reverse side. Full authentication would necessitate a review of provenance documentation, such as a gallery Bill of Sale or a signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) from the artist. Physical examination under UV light would also be advised to confirm the consistency of original pigments.