Jean-Michel Basquiat

Born:

December 22, 1960, Brooklyn, New York, USA

Died:

August 12, 1988, New York City, New York, USA

Nationality:

American

Profession(s):

Artist (Painter, Graffiti Artist, Printmaker)

Early Life and Education

• Basquiat demonstrated artistic talent at a young age, drawing cartoons and illustrations with his mother's encouragement.
• He was fluent in French, Spanish, and English.
• In 1968, he was hit by a car, resulting in a splenectomy and a hospital stay where he was given a copy of Gray's Anatomy, which significantly influenced his later work.
• He attended Saint Ann's School, a private arts-oriented school in Brooklyn.
• Dropped out of City-As-School, an alternative high school, at age 17.

Career and Major Achievements

• Gained initial recognition as part of SAMO©, a graffiti duo who wrote cryptic epigrams throughout Lower Manhattan in the late 1970s.
• First public exhibition was in the Times Square Show in 1980.
• Rapidly gained prominence in the neo-expressionism movement of the early 1980s.
• Had solo exhibitions in Annina Nosei Gallery (1982) and subsequently at Mary Boone Gallery.
• Collaborated with Andy Warhol on a series of paintings from 1984 to 1985.
• Became one of the youngest artists to exhibit at the Documenta 7 in Kassel, Germany in 1982.

Notable Works

• "Untitled" (1981)
• "Dustheads" (1982)
• "Hollywood Africans" (1983)
• "Riding with Death" (1988)
• Collaborations with Andy Warhol, including works like "Olympic Rings" and "Arm and Hammer II".

Legacy and Impact

Jean-Michel Basquiat's vibrant and raw style left an indelible mark on contemporary art. His work addressed themes of race, class, and identity, often incorporating text and symbols that reflected his unique perspective. The enduring interest in a comprehensive bana de basquiat biography is a testament to his significant cultural and artistic impact.

Exhibitions

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