Best Art Drops: Yayoi Kusama x MoMA Skate Decks, Basquiat Prints & More

Every week we spotlight the best art drops by celebrated artists and contemporary art platforms across the globe comprised of original artworks, prints, collectible figures, collaborative merchandise and more. Our latest installment features MoMA Design Store’s partnered skate decks with legendary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, celebrated tattoo artist Jun Cha’s marble sculpture release, Pace Print’s launch of rare Jean-Michel Basquiat prints, as well as Medicom Toy’s new joint release with longstanding cohorts and wood craftsmen Karimoku.

View the list of releases below and let us know your favorites. In other art news, get a closer look at Sam Friedman’s latest exhibition entitled “Flesh of the Gods.”

Yayoi Kusama x MoMA Design Store Skate Decks Now Available

MoMA Design Store

Release Date: Available Now
Release Price: $200-$500 USD

The MoMA Design store partnered up with seminal Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama, on a special edition range of skate decks. The joint-offering features three open editions: Black Dots, Red Dots, and a Yellow Trees triptych. All skate decks are made of premium Canadian maple wood with each motif staying true to Kusama’s hand-painted versions of her famous polka dot and pumpkin visuals. Head over to MoMA Design Store’s website to purchase.

Jun Cha to Release Limited Marble Skull Sculpture

Jun Cha

Release Date: September 26
Release Price: $7,000 USD

Internationally-acclaimed tattoo and fine artist Jun Cha unveils a new limited edition series of skulls sculpted from Carrara Marble entitled CAPO. Before meticulously producing each piece using modern techniques, the artist studied with local masters of both classic and modern sculpting in the mountains of the Apuan Alps to learn more about the historical province of Carrara, Italy. All pieces will arrive inside custom-made wooden boxes with certificates of authenticity. Each sculpture is slated for retail online at Jun Cha’s website.

Karimoku & Medicom Toy Team up on R@BBRICK Birch-Style Paint Edition

Medicom Toy

Release Date: September 29
Release Price: TBC

Japanese wood craftsmen Karimoku connected with Medicom Toy for a new limited R@BBRICK. The vinyl figure sees the popular character in a minimalist birch-style makeup. Each toy measures 11 by 27 centimeters and arrives in %400 sizing. Expect an official release at Medicom Toy Plus and select stockists worldwide.

Pace Prints to Launch Limited-to-60 Basquiat Prints

Pace Prints

Release Date: September 26 at 12 p.m. EDT
Release Price: Starting at $35,000 USD

The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat will release a new 18-color screen-print of the artist’s 1982-83 painting Boxer Rebellion, published by Flatiron Editions. The limited-to-60, 29-x-39-1/2-inch print will be sold exclusively through Pace Prints. Orders will only be accepted by e-mail at basquiat@paceprints.com, with the ‘winners’ selected at random.

FAILE Unveils New WONDER WHEEL 250 Print

FAILE

Release Date: September 27 at 12 p.m. E.D.T.
Release Price: TBC

Iconic, Brooklyn-based street art duo FAILE is set to release a new print entitled WONDER WHEEL 250. The edition of 250 features six unique variants alongside two Candy Stamp prints. All pieces are done up in multiple colors, hand-painted, stained, and printed. The backs are also stamped, embossed, and signed. The print edition will launch exclusively on FAILE’s online shop.