Jean Michel BasquiatDecember 22, 1960 – August 12,1988
Background History• Jean Michel Basquiat was
born December 22, 1960 in Brooklyn (NYC) and became an amazing American Artist in the 70’s and 80’s. He became very well known for his graffiti in New York City then started a different approach with his artwork with a very 1980’s Neo-Expressionism look but always continued his street artwork. Still to this day his paintings are very influential for new young artists. He is overall a World Wide Artist in history.
Growing UpBasquiat’s mother, Matilde, was Puerto Rican and his father, Gerard JeanBaptiste, was part of the Haitian origin. When Jean was growing up in 1977 he started putting up hisartwork on destroyed Buildings in lower ManhattanWhen he was seventeen Years old.
He wrote “SAMO” forhis Graffiti name.
He wrote many quotes that stated his beliefs about government corruption and humanitarian issues.
CareerBasquiat dropped out
of Edward R. Murrow High School when he was in 11th
grade and left home to live with his friends in downtown Manhattan. Many times he was homeless and created T-shirts and postcards as a way of making money. He was also a musician and in a band called ‘Grey’. But in 1979 his artwork was ‘discovered’ by a famous New York art critic.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
as a self-taught artist his style was rooted in graffiti and �became known for its raw look and energy. �he drew inspiration from rugged streets of new york city �and from his multicultural background. basquiat used his work �to explore interests and obsessions with mortality, class struggle, �oppression and popular culture. he used iconography heavily in �his work to reflect these. images of skeletons, police, historical �figures and cartoon characters occur repeatedly. his collaborative friendship with andy warhol and rapid ascent to�celebrity meant he became a poster boy for the 1980s art scene�with its mix of money, youth culture, excess and romanticism of�self-destruction. �in 1988 jean-michel basquiat died of a heroin�overdose in his studio aged 29.
Art ShowsBasquiat rose to success
very quickly. No one
had seen art quite
like his before. It
was new, fresh and
honest. His passion
for his work was
obvious. His is work
is called Neo-
expressionist because
of its expressive
brushwork and use of
abstracted images.
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Presentation Notes
Jean’s first main stream show happened to be in June 1980 at the Times Square Show, it was a multi-artist exhibition sponsored by Collaborative Projects Incorporated. And the outcome had a few articles about Basquiat in Artforum Magazine, which really help launch his career to become international.
Self Portraits
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Presentation Notes
http://search.live.com/images/results.aspx?q=jean%20michel%20basquiat&FORM=BIRE#focal=510c0bde3c33029e26bc66b821eabc34&furl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stanpeskett.com%2Farchive%2Fpics%2Fjmbcol.jpg Jack Klein, infamous Soho landlord, was interested in attracting investment in his building. The Guy's reputation of having created the original look for Fiorucci, helping Maurice Beidermann to set up YSL ready-to-wear in the US, Trax, Clarets and Unique Clothing Warehouse prompted Klein to propose that The Guy expand the Canal Zone to the lower floors of his Canal Street building.��The Guy attracted people like Keith McNally (who later opened Odeon, Nell's and other clubs), Rudolph (who opened Dancteria) and many more.��The Canal Zone fueled peoples imagination along with the Mudd Club. The avantgarde setting of the Canal Zone and its encouragement of local talent attracted The Tubes (a media parody art-school band), Debbie Harry (Blondie) and the B52's. Even Andy Warhol's jaded entourage, in need of replenishment, could be found at the Canal Zone collecting inspiration for Warhol's scene. Glen O'Brien and Tony Shafrazi were amongst these.��The Guy provided facilities in the Canal Zone for Lee, Slave and Fab Five Freddy to produce a series of murals which had been promised exclusive coverage by the New York Times. Months of planning with Ron Alexander (the Style Editor of the New York Times) arranging the photo-shoot came to nothing when the New York Times decided not to publish the article and pictures as the subject (graffiti) was considered too controversial.��In an attempt to alleviate Lee's disappointment and that of his friends and to encourage other aspiring graffiti artists, The Guy organised a work-themed media event with which the Canal Zone was opened on 29 April 1979.��All those mentioned above attended the opening party - it was on this occasion that Jean-Michel Basquiat first identified himself, publicly, as SAMO. The Canal Zone both inspired and gave the lead to the Eighties.
Warhol & BasquiatIn 1982 Basquiat became friends with well known pop artist Andy Warhol and they made a number of collaborative works together. The both of them influenced each others art work.
It wasn't until Andy Warhol’s death in 1987 was when their relationship ended. There are some who believe Warhol’s death was a “turning point for Basquiat…his drug addiction and depression began to spiral.”
Collaborations
Andy Warhol and Jean Michel Basquiat created a number of art pieces together and inspired plenty of others to collaborate with other artists. They were a great pair in the Art Industry in New York City during the 80’s.
His Way of ArtEvery artist has a different message they are trying share. It is the viewers who then have to try to understand the artists language and theme.
Jean Michel Basquiat used his artwork to express his interests with popular culture, oppression, class struggles, corruption and so on.
His Way of ArtLots of images with historical figures, skeletons, police, and the many abstract cartoon characters
from his imaginations' brought to all of his works.
He had a very defined style which is one of the reasons he became so well known and famous
for his art. He will always be in art history books for modern and contemporary artists so the world has no choice but to continue to keep
Basquiat’s name in the modern day world.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
as a self-taught artist his style was rooted in graffiti and �became known for its raw look and energy. �he drew inspiration from rugged streets of new york city �and from his multicultural background. basquiat used his work �to explore interests and obsessions with mortality, class struggle, �oppression and popular culture. he used iconography heavily in �his work to reflect these. images of skeletons, police, historical �figures and cartoon characters occur repeatedly. his collaborative friendship with andy warhol and rapid ascent to�celebrity meant he became a poster boy for the 1980s art scene�with its mix of money, youth culture, excess and romanticism of�self-destruction. �in 1988 jean-michel basquiat died of a heroin�overdose in his studio aged 29.
Art SoldDuring his life, Basquiats work usually sold in
the tens of thousands of dollars. After his death his work is worth much more….(as is the case with most artists)
On May 14th 2002 the large piece measuring 86.5” by 157.5”, owned by Lars Ulrich was put up for auction and was sold for $5,509,500.
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Presentation Notes
Lot 34, "Profit I," is a large acrylic and spray paint on canvas by Jean-Michel Basquiat that was executed in 1982. It has an ambitious estimate of $3,000,000 to $5,000,000 and is one of several works consigned in this auction Lars Ulrich, a founding member of the Metallica band. It measures 86 1/2 by 157 1/2 inches. The catalogue states flatly that this lot "is considered to be Basquiat's greatest masterpiece." "Executed in Italy in 1982 at the height of his creative development and fame," it continued, "this epic canvas can be seen both in its scale and ambition to be his equivalent of Picasso's Guernica. Here Basquiat shows his understanding of the expressionist brushwork of de Kooning and Kline, and the frenetic graphic languarge of Cy Twombly. He mixes art historical precdent wih the raw primitivism of urban graffiti to paint an image of a black crucified hero, that is partly a self -ortrait and partly African warrior and Voodoo shaman.“ From: http://search.live.com/images/results.aspx?q=lars%20ulrich%20basquiat%20painting&FORM=BIRE#focal=85fa9d1eb45b08d03be695b788bb40ad&furl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecityreview.com%2Fs02cco1f.gif
Mixed Media Work
Different Styles
Basquiat has a very unique sense of style about him; he was driven with colors and textures. He mainly did mixed media pieces that were collaged, drawn, and painted & finger painted that showed the world a new way to create art in a very street art ‘graffiti’ look.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
as a self-taught artist his style was rooted in graffiti and �became known for its raw look and energy. �he drew inspiration from rugged streets of new york city �and from his multicultural background. basquiat used his work �to explore interests and obsessions with mortality, class struggle, �oppression and popular culture. he used iconography heavily in �his work to reflect these. images of skeletons, police, historical �figures and cartoon characters occur repeatedly. his collaborative friendship with andy warhol and rapid ascent to�celebrity meant he became a poster boy for the 1980s art scene�with its mix of money, youth culture, excess and romanticism of�self-destruction. �in 1988 jean-michel basquiat died of a heroin�overdose in his studio aged 29.
Drug UsePrior to his fame,
Basquiat had developed a
excessive heroin habit which started when he was living among the junkies and street artists in New York City’s underground. Just as
his career was taking off, and was one of the most famous artists in the world, Jean
Michel Basquiat died from mixing cocaine
and heroin and overdosed August
12,1988.
Basquiat’s Quotes
"Every single line means something."
Basquiat’s Quotes
"Believe it or not, I can actually draw."
Basquiat’s Quotes
"I don't think about art when I'm working. I try to think about life."
Jean Michel BasquiatDecember 22, 1960 - August 12,1988