Jean-Michel Basquiat

Basquiat incorporated written words and symbols into his paintings. His text elements were codes, acronyms, words, letters, numbers, pictograms, logos, and maps, to name a few. Some of the more significant trademark images used were the crown, which was a sign of respect for his heroes, and CPRKR, used to represent the jazz musician Charlie Parker, who helped to create bebop music, which he loved. One of Basquiat’s major reference sources, was the Gray’s Anatomy book which was given to him by his mother when he was in the hospital after being hit by a car.
Basquiat was fascinated with the process of creating. He liked to reveal what made people tick, and this was displayed in his artwork as well. At times, Basquiat would reveal the pieces of wood used to hold the canvas, displaying what was behind the work of art. He created on all types of materials, using random objects, and various surfaces as his canvas. He used acrylic paints which would drip down the canvas, spray paints, and oil paint sticks, which were like giant crayons, on canvas, paper, masonite, and walls.
Basquiat was influenced by the artwork of Jean Dubuffet, and his idealistic approach to aesthetics, Pablo Picasso’s collage and cubism, Robert Rauschenberg’s Neo-Dada, abstract expressionism, and Cy Twombly’s calligraphic, large graffiti paintings. He was especially intrigued by Andy Warhol and the pop-art movement. He respected as well as collaborated with Warhol.
Jean-Michel Basquiat used social commentary in order to delve into deeper truths about people. He focused on dichotomies such as wealth and poverty, integration and segregation, and inner and outer life experiences. Utilizing poetry, drawing, and painting, he united text and image, using abstraction, figuration, historical, and contemporary art elements. He began as an obscure graffiti artist in New York City in the late 1970’s, gradually evolving into a world-acclaimed painter before his short life ended. ( Totallyhistory.com )

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