Born: December 22, 1960, Brooklyn, New York, USA
Died: August 12, 1988, New York City, USA
Nationality: American
Style: Neo-Expressionism, Street Art
Influences: Graffiti, primitivism, Jean Dubuffet
"I don't think about art when I'm working. I try to think about life."
Notable Artwork
Hollywood Africans (1983)
About Jean-Michel Basquiat
Born: December 22, 1960, Brooklyn, New York, USA Died: August 12, 1988, New York City, USA Nationality: American Style: Neo-Expressionism, Street Art Influences: Graffiti, primitivism, Jean Dubuffet Major Exhibitions: “Untitled (Skull)” (1981), “Irony of Negro Policeman” (1981), “Hollywood Africans” (1983) Quote: “I don’t think about art when I’m working. I try to think about life.”
Notable Artwork: Hollywood Africans (1983)
This painting, while not strictly a “street” work, embodies the energy and style of Basquiat’s graffiti roots (under the tag SAMO©). It features a complex mix of text, figures, and symbols, addressing themes of race, identity, and the history of Black people in America.
Significance
Basquiat’s work bridged the gap between the street art scene and the established art world. Hollywood Africans, like much of his work, combines raw energy with sophisticated social commentary. His unique visual language incorporates elements of graffiti, Abstract Expressionism, and African art.