So much can be said about Basquiat as an artist. There are lectures, classes, books and more dedicated to understand the whisk of every brush that landed on any piece he ever created. He was so much more than a BLACK artist; he was an artist, he was part and a leader of an art movement during the 1980's and often starved or was homeless all for the sake of his passion that would eventually lead him to have the opportunity to paint in Armani suits and travel the world so many could see the beauty that is a Basquiat work of art. He made a mark on art history achieved in 9 years that took many of his contemporaries decades. I say all of this to say that no one ever really looked into who he was as a person. How all of the fame and recognition he received ultimately destroyed him because if you don't love yourself enough to press on during difficult times, the respect and love from others is never going to be enough. Thankfully, the movie documentary RADIANT CHILD (click here for trailer) gives a deep look into the person and not the "occupation" per say. Unfortunately I won't be able to give it a look see until it releases on DVD because I won't be here when it comes out for the Chesapeake Film Fest and the showing in New York ends in August.
"Jean Michel Basquiat first became famous for his art, then he became famous for being famous, then he became famous for being infamous - a succession of reputations that often overshadowed the seriousness and the significance of the art he produced."
I always admired his pride and daring approach to his art. The colors, the dimensions, the visionary, and the underlying messages that hide deep under the cluttered cluster of images makes you think; his art had substance. Anyhoo, here are a few of my favorite pieces from the one that is JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT. VIVA LA BASQUIAT!
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