Owen Dippie completes a six-story, self-funded portrait of the artist, a block from the Great Jones Street studio where Basquiat lived and worked until 1988

NEW YORK, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On the exterior wall of Par Excellence's flagship at 344 Bowery—just steps from Jean-Michel Basquiat's former home and studio at 57 Great Jones—New Zealand-born artist Owen Dippie has completed a nearly six-story, hyperrealistic portrait honoring the iconic artist. The mural directly overlooks Jean-Michel Basquiat Way, the corner officially co-named for the artist by the New York City Council.

Dippie, who was introduced to Basquiat's work at a young age, had always envisioned bringing Jean "back to the neighbourhood" since his first visit to Great Jones Street in 2006: 

"I have always considered Great Jones Street sacred ground given that Jean-Michel both lived and died there. To see him back in his neighbourhood is beautiful but to me his spirit never left" says Dippie.

Paving the Way—Two Years in the Making:

Bringing a six-story mural to a protected historic district required a multi-year effort of civic and architectural stewardship. When Dippie brought his vision to Guillaume Bouchez, CEO of Par Excellence—the French design collective anchored at 344 Bowery—Bouchez immediately championed the idea and spearheaded the initiative, making the wall available and navigating the complex approval process. Over the course of two years, Par Excellence was able to secure all necessary approvals from building management and the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC).

For Par Excellence, facilitating the project was a natural continuation of its decade-long commitment to New York's creative ecosystem.

Championing exceptional French craftsmanship and creativity is, in Bouchez' eyes, a necessary contribution:

"As a company dedicated to exceptional craftsmanship and design, contributing meaningfully to New York's cultural fabric is fundamental to who we are," says Guillaume Bouchez, CEO of Par Excellence. "344 Bowery sits at a historic cultural crossroads. Securing the approvals and providing our building's wall as a canvas was our way of giving back to the Bowery community and honoring one of New York's greatest artistic icons."

The Photograph That Inspired It

The portrait is based on a historic 1982 photograph by Gianfranco Gorgoni, taken when Basquiat was 22 and his career was taking off. "I grew up with a book with a similar image on the cover, which Gorgoni shot, that holds a sentimental place in my heart," Dippie notes.

Old-Master Technique at Scale

Trained as a classical oil painter in Kawerau, a small town in New Zealand's Eastern Bay of Plenty, Dippie creates one-of-one large scale public murals using old-master realist techniques. His work has appeared in New Zealand, Australia, Los Angeles, and New York, including notable works such as Master Ninjas (named The Huffington Post's top mural of 2015), and The Art of Storytelling, featuring The Notorious B.I.G. and Alfred Hitchcock. Dippie has also collaborated with Al Diaz, co-creator of the iconic SAMO project with Basquiat.

About Owen Dippie
Owen Dippie is a New Zealand-born painter from Kawerau. Trained in oil painting, he creates large-scale realist portraits in public spaces.

About Guillaume Bouchez

Guillaume Bouchez is a New York-based entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of Par Excellence. With a longstanding appreciation for art, design, and craftsmanship, he is committed to supporting creative initiatives that contribute to New York's cultural landscape.

About Par Excellence
Founded in 2016 by Charles Jouffre, Par Excellence is a New York agency that connects leading interior designers and architects with French workshops and artisans to produce bespoke furniture and architectural elements. Based at 344 Bowery in NY, its showroom, designed by Thomas Pheasant, celebrates craftsmanship and exceptional know-how. Guillaume Bouchez serves as Chief Executive Officer.

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SOURCE Par Excellence