The Artist - Jean- Michel Basquiat

2021-02-17

In honor of Black History Month, I am putting a spotlight on influential Black Americans that paved the way for others. Our next Black History Month spotlight is American Artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat. Jean-Michel Basquiat was an American artist of Haitian and Puerto Rican descent. He was born in Brooklyn, New York on December 22, 1960. Early in his life, it was evident that Jean-Michel was gifted. He learned to read and write by the age of four, and by the age of 11, he was fluent in French, Spanish and English, and an avid reader in all three l...

In honor of Black History Month, I am putting a spotlight on influential Black Americans that paved the way for others.

Our next Black History Month spotlight is American Artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Jean-Michel Basquiat was an American artist of Haitian and Puerto Rican descent. He was born in Brooklyn, New York on December 22, 1960. Early in his life, it was evident that Jean-Michel was gifted. He learned to read and write by the age of four, and by the age of 11, he was fluent in French, Spanish and English, and an avid reader in all three languages. Jean-Michel was also a lover of art. He visited museums with his mother in Manhattan, and she encouraged her young artists by enrolling him in an arts-oriented private school.

At first glance, Jean-Michel’s art could be described as primitive. But the images were complex and sophisticated. Through his art his worldview is evident and undeniably black. There are hints of Jackson Pollock, and influences from his Haitian and Puerto Rican ancestry. His most recognizable motif is the bowl crown that appears in most of his famous works. His art often had words written in the painting, echoing his graffiti roots, and the stream of consciousness that went into the creation of the work.

In this episode Thea discusses: