Celebrating Art in Black History (Jean-Michel Basquiat)

It’s February and in honor of Black History Month I want to highlight some of the most inspiring and talented African- American artists.

First up is Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Image from brooklynmuseum.org

American artist. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on December 22, 1960. With a Haitian-American father and a Puerto Rican mother, Basquiat’s diverse cultural heritage was one of his many sources of inspiration. A self-taught artist, Basquiat first attracted attention for his graffiti under the name “SAMO” in New York City. He sold sweatshirts and postcards featuring his artwork on the streets before his painting career took off. He participated in his first group show in 1980 and had his first one-man exhibition in Milan, Italy, the following year. Basquiat collaborated with famed pop artist Andy Warhol in the mid-1980s, which resulted in a show of their work. He became an internationally known artist, receiving critical acclaim for the fusion of words, symbols, stick figures, and animals found in his work.

Basquiat died of a drug overdose on August 12, 1988. He was 27. Although his art career was brief, he has been credited with bringing the African-American and Latino experience in the elite art world.

(Basquiat biography taken from biography.com)

Just last February, a documentary entitled “Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child” was released. Written by his close friend, Tamra Davis, this film centers around a rare interview shot over 20 years ago.  I really want to see this!   Love his bold color combos, abstract flair and style. What a talent gone so soon.

Are you a Basquiat fan?