Jean-Michel Basquiat

Born:

December 22, 1960, Brooklyn, New York, USA

Died:

August 12, 1988, New York City, USA

Nationality:

American

Profession(s):

Painter, Artist, Graffiti Artist

Early Life and Education

• Born to a Haitian father and a Puerto Rican mother.
• Exhibited artistic talent from an early age.
• At age seven, was hit by a car, resulting in a long hospital stay where his mother gifted him a copy of Gray's Anatomy, which heavily influenced his later work.
• Dropped out of City-As-School, an alternative high school in New York City.

Career and Major Achievements

• Began as a graffiti artist under the pseudonym SAMO© (Same Old Shit) in the late 1970s.
• Transitioned from street art to gallery representation in the early 1980s.
• Rapidly gained international recognition for his neo-expressionist paintings.
• Collaborated with Andy Warhol extensively in the mid-1980s.
• Became one of the most successful and sought-after artists of his generation.

Notable Works

• Untitled (1981)
• Skull (1981)
• Irony of Negro Policeman (1981)
• Dustheads (1982)
• Charles the First (1982)
• Collaborations with Andy Warhol, such as Olympic Rings (1985)

Legacy and Impact

Jean-Michel Basquiat's work brought street art and graffiti into the established art world. His vibrant, expressive paintings addressed themes of race, identity, class, and urban life, leaving a lasting impact on contemporary art. Discussions and analyses around 'el bosque la plata basquiat biography' are prevalent, showing continued interest in his life and contributions.

Selected Exhibitions

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