Life Story of the Groundbreaking Contemporary Art Icon, Basquiat
Jean-Michel Basquiat, born in Brooklyn, New York in 1960, was a child prodigy who grew up amidst a tense family atmosphere. His father was violent, and his mother suffered from mental illness. Despite these challenges, Basquiat was precocious, able to read at four and speak English, French, and Spanish by eight.
Growing up in New York City, Basquiat's exposure to popular culture – from Hitchcock films to comics to cars – would later inspire his art. His mother took him to museums, and he had a membership card for the Brooklyn Museum at six. This early exposure to art would prove instrumental in shaping Basquiat's unique style.
In his teens, Basquiat left school and began his adventure as a graffiti artist with friends, signing with "SAMO©" ("Same Old Shit"). His graffiti stood out with simple, poetic sentences, recurring motifs being the crown and the copyright symbol "©".
After bidding farewell to text graffiti, Basquiat dedicated himself to painting on canvas. The crown, a recurring symbol in his work, represented dignity, resilience, and the heroism of oppressed people. Basquiat's works often featured dismembered bodies, isolated organs, and visible skulls, reflecting his obsession with human mortality.
In October 1982, Basquiat met Andy Warhol, marking the beginning of a legendary alliance. They formed an intense artistic collaboration, creating around 160 works together between 1983 and 1985. Their collaboration not only marked the beginning of a friendship but also a significant turning point in Basquiat's career.
Basquiat's art often engaged with profound political and social themes, such as race, identity, and power. He presented his works alongside 200 other artists, including Keith Haring, David Wojnarowicz, and Jenny Holzer, at the Times Square Show, a center for underground art in New York.
Art dealers Bruno Bischofberger and Annina Nosei discovered Basquiat and became his future gallery owners. Basquiat's rebellious spirit is already evident in his works, a testament to his unyielding pursuit of artistic expression despite the adversities he faced in his personal life.
Basquiat's art, inspired by popular culture and infused with political and social commentary, continues to resonate with audiences today, making him one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
