Jean-Michel Basquiat
Jean-Michel Basquait, Untitled, 1982
OBJECTIVE ANALYSIS
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960-1988) an enormously talented artist, that served his purpose on earth, enlightening mankind into the depths of the soul. He was a proud Black– American artist from Brooklyn, parents of Haitian, and Puerto Rican descent. Yes, Basquiat was a street graffiti artist during the hip -hop culture in the 70’s, and rose to fame in the 80’s for his prolific style. He is classified as a neo-expressionism artist. His work displays idioms reflecting life—the good and bad, books, television, and surreal thoughts. Basquiat left us at the age of 27 of a heroin overdose. World renowned, his legacy lives on around the world with paintings selling for millions.
Basquiat’s stylization of work is iconographic and often filled with texts and symbols. His wall writings became recognized by the signature SAMO tag. The identification of his cultural roots is visible in his bold, dark, and colorful works. His signature crown symbol was reference to being a graffiti artist, who painted on anything he could get his hands on including paper, glass, doors, cardboard, and canvas using crayons, markers, spray paint and acrylics. Basquiat’s paintings are filled with messages of personal and social issues relationships, racism, and classism. The work “Untitled” depicts a tribal skull face painted with quick strokes, onto a smeared, background of blue tranquility. His artworks share markings of symbols and quick brush lines. In the black face of “Self Portrait” Basquiat’s decision to place acrylics in red, and blue oil sticks on white paper sends a subliminal message for the viewer. His work is expressive, energetic, and colorful, often filled with askew dark strokes.
SUBJECTIVE ANALYSIS
I think Basquiat was a genius, his work is art from the heart. There is so much emotion, semiotics, and surrealism in his illustrations to explore. His work is unique and possibly expressing his own demons. I believe there was a force making sure he fulfilled his purpose. He is an icon whose work represents a culture of American art that rose through hip-hop, and pop landing into the finest museums. I love his art!
Basquiat, painting Live Street Graffiti. Cox, C, YouTube. July 8, 2012. https://www.youtube.com
/watch?v=VM1klSRyMn0
CBS Mornings. July 17, 2021. Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Impact on Hip-Hop Culture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32jo-1JtcB8
NPR. Dwyer, C. May 19, 2017. org. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/05/19/529096175/at-110-5-million-basquiat-painting-becomes-priciest-work-ever-sold-by-a-u-s-arti
Jean-Michel Basquiat: Interview With His Family. Localish Feb.20, 2019. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM1klSRyMn0
Image 1. Basquait. Creative Commons. https://search.creativecommons.org/search?q=jean%20michel%20basquiat&license=pdm&license_type=commercial
Image 2. Basquiat Untitled artwork. The Guardian.com
Image 3. Basquiat.com https://www.basquiat.com/
