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Jean-Michel Basquiat was a Haitian-American artist from Brooklyn, New York who changed the art world. He rose to fame in the late 1970s and early 1980s as a leading figure in the Post-Modern art movement. Basquiat’s work is characterized by bold, raw, and often confrontational imagery, which he used to comment on social and political issues of his time. His mixture of hip-hop/graffiti elements into mainstream art was something completely new and as a result, the art game was changed forever.

His early years were marked by poverty and a difficult family life. Despite this, he showed an early talent for drawing, which was encouraged by his mother, a former teacher. In the late 1970s, he began to make a name for himself as part of the graffiti art movement. Under the pseudonym “SAMO” he created murals and honed his unique artistic style. This led to his discovery by the art world, and he soon became a sought-after figure in New York’s vibrant contemporary art scene.

Basquiat’s work is deeply rooted in his experiences as a black man in America. He used his art to address a wide range of social and political issues, including racism, poverty, and inequality. He also drew inspiration from African, Caribbean, and Latin American art and culture, often incorporating elements of these traditions into his work.

One of the most distinctive aspects of Basquiat’s work is his use of text. He would often incorporate words and phrases into his paintings, sometimes as the central focus of the piece, other times as a background element. These texts were often powerful and thought-provoking, and served to add an extra layer of meaning to his work.

Basquiat’s success was meteoric, and he became one of the most sought-after artists of his time. He worked with a wide range of mediums, including painting, drawing, collage, and mixed media. And because of his versatility, his his work is held in high regard by art lovers and critics alike. Despite his relatively short career, Basquiat had a profound impact on the art world, and continues to be an important and influential figure to this day.

Sadly, Basquiat’s life was cut short by a drug overdose in 1988, at the age of just 27. Despite this, his legacy lives on, and his work continues to inspire new generations of artists and art lovers. Today, Basquiat’s paintings are highly prized, and his work is on display in museums and galleries all over the world. He currently holds the record priciest work sold by an American artist when his piece “Untitled” sold for a whopping $110.5 million in 2017.

Jean-Michel Basquiat was a brilliant and powerful artist whose work continues to resonate with audiences today. His influence reaches from the world’s most prestigious art galleries to hip-hop icons like Jay-Z. His bold, raw, and often confrontational style, combined with his deep commitment to addressing social and political issues, makes him one of the most important and influential artists of the 20th century.

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We hope you enjoyed this look at the immensely talented artist and creator for The Culture, Jean-Michel Basquiat. Check out more of our articles below:

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Written by @TalentedMrFord

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