Jean-Michel Basquiat

1960 – 1988

Biography

Born in Brooklyn, New York to a Puerto Rican mother and a Haitian father Jean-Michel Basquiat became well known as a graffiti artist before finding success in the 1980s as a 'Neo-Expressionist' painter.

Beginning in 1977 he and several high school friends began spraying graffiti art on buildings in
Lower Manhattan and signing SAMO on each piece. The first phase of this project was ended with the epitaph 'SAMO IS DEAD' sprayed on buildings all over Soho.

His work can be divided into three distinct but overlapping styles. The first from the early 1980s involved the use of gestures on canvas -- particularly of faces, skulls and masks. The mid 1980s saw a transition to the production of multi-paneled pieces, painted surfaces busy with writing, lines, sketches and collage. These are the works that many say most reflect his keen interest in his own heritage and identity.

For the two years leading up to his death, Basquiat adopted a more figurative style. Basquiat had become friends with Pop artist Andy Warhol in the early 1980s and until Warhol's death in 1987; the pair produced many collaborative works together. Basquiat struggled with drug addiction and depression throughout his twenties, culminating in his death at the age of 27 from an accidental drugs overdose.

Basquiat's creative influence is recognizable in the works of many subsequent artists and several retrospective exhibitions have been held since his death at major museums in the US. In May 2007, an untitled piece by Basquiat dating from 1981 was sold at Sotheby's in New York for $14.6 million.

Images

Oreo 1988 Acrylic on canvas 126 x 100.5 cm © The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat / ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2010 The depiction of artworks herein should not necessarily be considered an intimation of ownership

Untitled (Head) 1986 Acrylic on canvas 150 x 150 cm © The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat / ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2010. The depiction of artworks herein should not necessarily be considered an intimation of ownership

Wax Museum 1988 Soft pencil & gouache on paper 41 x 29 cm © The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat / ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2010 The depiction of artworks herein should not necessarily be considered an intimation of ownership