Tag: Jean-Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat (December 22, 1960 – August 12, 1988) was a renowned American Neo-expressionist artist. He gained fame in the 1980s as part of the graffiti duo SAMO, alongside Al Diaz, known for enigmatic messages.

Basquiat’s art moved beyond the streets, exhibited globally in the early 1980s. At just 21, he became the youngest artist in Documenta in Kassel, Germany. At 22, he exhibited at the prestigious Whitney Biennial in New York, later receiving a retrospective at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1992.

His art explored dichotomies like wealth versus poverty, integration versus segregation, and inner versus outer experience. Combining poetry, drawing, and painting, Basquiat merged text and image, abstraction, figuration, and historical references with contemporary critique. His works featured social commentary, introspecting and connecting with the black community, while challenging power structures and racism.

Since his untimely death at 27 in 1988, Basquiat’s art has soared in value. In 2017, “Untitled” sold for a staggering $110.5 million, becoming one of the most expensive paintings ever purchased.

Jean-Michel Basquiat’s short yet influential career left a lasting impact on the art world, with his unique vision and social commentary resonating with audiences today. His legacy as an innovative and groundbreaking artist continues to inspire and provoke thought.