Black History: Jean-Michel Basquiat

As a kid I learned about Picasso and da Vinci but I couldn’t connect with them or they’re style of art, but when I first read about Jean-Michel Basquiat it changed my life and opened my mind up to the endless possibilities that I could create with art by just creating what I felt! Basquiat was only in his early 20’s when he took the world by storm, he was rebellious, talented, and but most importantly he embraced being black, all of which was reflected in every one of his paintings. His work continues to inspire the world decades after his death, in 2007 an untitled Basquiat work from 1981 sold for $14.6 million, setting a new record for Basquiat paintings.



Jean-Michel Basquiat (December 22, 1960 – August 12, 1988) was an American artist, world renowned for his Neo-expressionist paintings. His career in art began as a graffiti artist in the late 1970s and 80s however he became one of the leaders of the Neo-expressionist movement, eventually collaborating with Andy Warhol from 1984-1986.

Basquiat was infamous for painting all-night in $1,000 Armani suits and often appearing in public the next day wearing the same paint-splattered suit. In February 1986, he graced the cover of The New York Times Magazine in a feature entitled "New Art, New Money: The Marketing of an American Artist". He was one of the successful artists of his time, however increasing drug addiction eventually led to his early death on August 12, 1988.

To read more about Basquiat click here or here!

by @Jetsetting_Ju