Jean-Michel Basquiat

Picture of Jean Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) was an American artist during the Post Modernism period. Post Modernism art arose as a reaction against modernism, where all the artists tried to defy authority and used their own styles instead of mimicking the prevalent art.


Untitled,self portrait, 1982, mixed media

He was of Haitian and Puerto Rican descent and used his experiences to narrate stories about racism, classism, and other social problems through his art.

‘Bird on Money,‘ 1981, mixed media

He was fascinated by anatomy and loved to include skulls, ribcages, and other parts of the body in his work. He never received formal art education but drew inspiration from the simplest things like his father’s music, books, and the bible.

Two Heads on Gold,‘ 1982, mixed media

He lived a short life and died at the age of 28 by overdose. He still managed to create some incredible pieces using crayons, oil sticks, ink, markers, and spray paint.

Untitled, head, 1982, mixed media

Basquiat has left a legacy of art for life’s sake and used his artistic voice to support the oppressed. During his own time as a graffiti artist, his work was perceived well, and it grew in worth after his death. I find his style new and unique to the art world. It’s incredible how many artworks he created in such a short amount of time. His dedication to art is visible in his work.


REFERENCES

https://www.moma.org/collection/terms/84

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Michel_Basquiat#Drawings

https://observer.com/2020/06/jean-michael-basquiat-untitled-head-auction/

https://www.artimage.org.uk/news/2017/when-warhol-met-basquiat/

https://www.thecollector.com/9-intriguing-facts-about-jean-michel-basquiat/

https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2018/12/jean-michel-basquiat-book/

https://www.wilderutopia.com/performance/visual-art/jean-michel-basquiat-poverty-and-power-scrawled-on-walls/

https://news.artnet.com/market/60-million-jean-michel-basquiat-sothebys-929840