Jean-Michel Basquiat was an African American artist who got famous during the 1980s for his Neo-expressionist street art pieces like “Hollywood Africans,” “Defacement” and “Untitled Skull” among others. His work began at a young age and he passed away too early at 27. Yet somehow, the depth of emotions, chaos and even despair depicted in his artwork is simply beyond his age.
“I want to make paintings that look as if they were made by a child.”
It was the 1970s and concept art and minimal designs were in the fashion. However, the Neo-expressionism movement came as a response to these movements to change the era once again. Recognisable shapes were back in artworks, unlike the lines and squares that may have depicted a tree or who knows what. With Neo-expressionism even recognisable shapes like trees, houses, or human figures were drawn somewhat abstract with aggressive scribbles and vivid colours to set a mood.
“I was a really lousy artist as a kid. Too abstract expressionist; or I’d draw a big ram’s head, really messy. I’d never win painting contests. I remember losing to a guy who did a perfect Spiderman.”
It can almost be said that Basquiat’s work might look like that of an empath. For all the young artists and designers who want to learn how to channel their emotions into the work they do and give their projects and pieces more meaning, Basquiat is the artist to look up to, regardless of whether you are a Neo-expressionist or not.
“Since I was seventeen I thought I might be a star. I’d think about all my heroes, Charlie Parker, Jimi Hendrix… I had a romantic feeling about how these people became famous.”
Basquiat was a gifted child who could read and write by 4 and wrote his first children’s book at age 7 with his friend. He could fluently speak English, French and Spanish and had a mother who supported his artistic talents. However, Basquiat was no stranger to hardship.
“I wanted to be a cartoonist when I was young.”
He used to draw graffiti outside the School of Visual Arts where he made friends with art school students. Later, he sold a postcard to Andy Warhol titled “Stupid Games, Bad Ideas.” He started painting on up-cycled clothes way before it became a thing. Needless to say, his biography would be quite the read!
“I had very few friends. There was nobody I could trust. I left home when I was fifteen. I lived in Washington Square Park.”
Jean-Michel Basquiat gained popularity by participating in exhibitions around New York. He sold his first painting in 1981 titled “Cadillac Moon.” A while later, he even starred as a DJ in a music video for Blonde for the song “Rapture.”
“I don’t listen to what art critics say. I don’t know anybody who needs a critic to find out what art is.”
By 1981 he had joined galleries and participated in international exhibitions. He made television appearances, produced songs, ran exhibitions and travelled the world while building his artistic talent.
“I cross out words so you will see them more; the fact that they are obscured makes you want to read them.”
Basquiat had his fair share of trouble with substances but that is not the locus of his life’s work. Basquiat produced his best work when he “felt” the most. The death of his friend Michael Stewart, who was arrested after trying to graffiti a wall led him to produce the artwork titled, “Defacement.” Even when he felt joy during the good times in his life, he ran successful exhibitions. His emotions were the driving force behind his work and today, he and his work are celebrated for exactly that reason.
“If you wanna talk about influence, man, then you’ve got to realize that influence is not influence. It’s simply someone’s idea going through my new mind.”
Jean-Michel Basquiat’s art is a testament to the power of self-expression, the fusion of words and images, and the exploration of identity and social justice. Through his graffiti roots, collaborations with Andy Warhol, and commitment to addressing societal issues, we gain a deeper understanding of the artist’s profound impact on contemporary art. His legacy lives on, reminding us of the boundless creativity and the unyielding voice of an artist who dared to challenge conventions and redefine the art of his time. Jean-Michel Basquiat’s radiant creativity continues to inspire and provoke thought, reflecting the pulse of a generation and the enduring power of art.
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