DIEGO VOCI PRECURSOR TO #BASQUIAT?

Diego Voci; “Untitled” Abstract oil on canvas ca. 1966

Amazingly this painting by internationally collected artist Antonio Diego Voci (1920-1985) appeared this year for sale online for $150. Basquiat aficionados at first sight declared it to be a Basquiat, if so he (Basquiat) would have only been 6 years old. See the (above & below) similar impromptu strokes of the brush bringing unrelated shapes and lines together in a strangely beautiful work of art.

Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) artworks are in demand by the big time art collectors worldwide, selling in the millions of dollars to acquire. Once a lover of #AndyWarhol, Museums covet Basquiat / Warhol collaborative works.

Warhol & Basquiat above Basquiat above

NOTE: Coop Cooprider, Diego Voci Historian, has certified the work shown here as authentic Diego, circa 1966 that’s when Diego left the prestigious Schlossgalerie in Zurich, and moved to Germany, home of his lover and wife to be Helga Drossler. Helga Voci, Diego’s widow still living in Germany confirmed “Yes”, it’s a Diego. He was always experimenting.” There he affiliated with 2 galleries, Naffouj Gallery in Landstuhl and Galerie Dahms in Wiesbaden. The Diego work shown here is one of the very first with the “Diego” signature. Joy Naffouj convinced Diego that since “he” is known by Diego, sign the work “Diego”. Before the “Diego” signature, he signed some form of Voci (https://www.artifactcollectors.com/diego-history-4330818.html#43343).

NOT ACCURATE! CHECK YOUR “FACTS” ABOUT DIEGO VOCI!

eBay ad falsely stated by a seller in Swanton, Vermont stated:

“THIS DRAWING IS FROM THE LATE 50’S EARLY 60’S”

NON ACCURATE.

FACT: Antonio Diego Voci (1920-1985) did not sign his works “Diego” until the last half of the 1960’s when Canadian art dealer Joy Gibson – Naffouj began representing the artist.  It was through the encouragement of Joy and her husband Dr. Jawdat Naffouj that the Diego signature took hold.  Before that all the art works were signed some form of VOCI.  (See 1965 ad in Zurich newspaper https://diegovociproject.wordpress.com/2014/11/28/attention-look-for-voci-not-diego/

During the time Naffouj was selling works signed “Diego” Galerie Dahms in Wiesbaden continued to sell works to the upscale German market signed some form of “Voci”.

NOTE: We can find no evidence that the Diego Voci Project Team was the source of this misinformation.