Jean Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960–1988)

Born in New York, Jean-Michel Basquiat first gained public recognition as a graffiti artist. In 1981, poet and artist René Ricard introduced him in Artforum magazine under the title The Radiant Child, a feature that became the catalyst for his artistic career. By 1982, Basquiat was included in the Whitney Biennial and Documenta in Germany, and he began his well-known association and collaborations with Andy Warhol.

Basquiat was acutely sensitive to the social and cultural environment of his time. His works frequently incorporated symbols of the capitalist system, such as copyright marks and trademarks, alongside text and imagery referencing political, historical, and cultural events. His paintings also directly confronted the racial issues prevalent in American society. Even today, his art continues to exert a profound influence on contemporary artists.