Jean-Michel Basquiat, born in 1960 in Brooklyn, New York, was a pioneering American artist known for his raw, expressive style and his exploration of themes such as race, identity, and social justice. Rising to prominence in the 1980s New York art scene, Basquiat became one of the most influential artists of his generation.

Basquiat’s work often incorporated elements of street art, graffiti, and neo-expressionism, blending words, symbols, and bold colors to create powerful and evocative compositions. His paintings, such as “Untitled (Skull)” and “Hollywood Africans,” are characterized by their frenetic energy, dynamic brushwork, and layered meanings.

In addition to his paintings, Basquiat was also a prolific draftsman and poet, incorporating text and language into his art as a way to comment on contemporary society and the human condition.

Despite his untimely death at the age of 27, Basquiat’s impact on the art world was profound and enduring. He challenged conventional notions of art and identity, breaking down barriers and inspiring a new generation of artists to explore themes of race, politics, and culture in their work. Today, Basquiat is celebrated as a visionary artist whose influence continues to resonate around the world.

Jean-Michel Basquiat Quotes

1. “Most Young Kings Get Their Heads Cut Off.”
— Jean-Michel Basquiat

2. “I start a picture and I finish it. I don’t think about art while I work. I try to think about life.”
— Jean-Michel Basquiat

3. “SAMO as an end to to mindwash religion, nowhere politics and bogus philosophy.”
— Jean-Michel Basquiat

4. “Every single line means something.”
— Jean-Michel Basquiat

5. “I cross out words so you will see them more.”
— Jean-Michel Basquiat

6. “I wanted to be a star, not a gallery mascot.”
— Jean-Michel Basquiat

7. “Believe it or not, I can actually draw.”
— Jean-Michel Basquiat

8. “If you wanna talk about influence, man, then you’ve got to realize that influence is not influence. It’s simply someone’s idea going through my new mind.”
— Jean-Michel Basquiat

9. “Fire will attract more attention than any other cry for help.”
— Jean-Michel Basquiat

10. “I am not a black artist, I am an artist.”
— Jean-Michel Basquiat

11. “The more I paint the more I like everything.”
— Jean-Michel Basquiat

12. “I cross out words so you will see them more; the fact that they are obscured makes you want to read them.”
— Jean-Michel Basquiat

13. “I don’t listen to what art critics say. I don’t know anybody who needs a critic to find out what art is.”
— Jean-Michel Basquiat

14. “I start a picture and I finish it.”
— Jean-Michel Basquiat

15. “I wanted to build up a name for myself.”
— Jean-Michel Basquiat

16. “1. sports 2. opera 3. weapons.”
— Jean-Michel Basquiat

17. “My favorite Twombly is ‘Apollo and the Artist,’ with the big ‘Apollo’ written across it.”
— Jean-Michel Basquiat

18. “If I’m away from painting for a week, I get bored.”
— Jean-Michel Basquiat