Jean Michel Basquiat was an American artist known for his influential graffiti-style artwork and vibrant paintings. He gained fame in the 1980s and is best recognized for his unique style that challenged societal norms and addressed themes of race and identity.
Personal and Family Life
Jean Michel Basquiat was born on December 22, 1960, in Brooklyn, New York, to a Haitian father and a Puerto Rican mother. He grew up in a creative environment that inspired his artistic talents. His early life in New York City fostered a love for art that led him to begin spray painting graffiti in the late 1970s, using the signature “SAMO”.
Career and Artistic Contributions
Basquiat began his graffiti career in 1977, quickly gaining attention for his work. His art, which included mixed media and impactful messages, resonated with many and established him as a leading figure in the art scene. Collaborating with other artists, including Andy Warhol, he created pieces that reflected social issues, particularly racial discrimination, and the struggles of marginalized communities.
Death and Legacy
Jean Michel Basquiat died on August 12, 1988, at the young age of 27 due to a heroin overdose. His untimely death placed him in the notorious “27 Club,” alongside other artists who died at the same age. Despite his brief career, Basquiat’s work continues to influence artists and is celebrated for its powerful commentary and unique aesthetic.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown ’81 | 2001-07-13 | Jean (archive footage) |
| Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child | 2010-01-25 | Self |
| Con Artist | 2010-11-12 | Self |
| Basquiat: Rage to Riches | 2017-10-07 | Self (archive footage) |
| A Conversation with Basquiat | 2006-01-01 | |
| Blondie Greatest Video Hits | 2002-10-08 | Nightclub DJ (segment “Rapture”) (archive footage) |
| Boom for Real: The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat | 2018-12-19 | Self (archive footage) |
| Basquiat, Une Vie | 2010-10-10 | Himself (archive footage) |
| TV Party | 2005-08-03 | Self (archive footage) |
| And You Don’t Stop: 30 Years of Hip-Hop | 2004-04-02 | Self (archive footage) |
| The Ballad of Sexual Dependency | 1985-01-01 | |
| Superstar: The Life and Times of Andy Warhol | 1990-07-18 | Self (archive footage) |
| The Universe of Keith Haring | 2008-04-01 | Self (archive footage) |
| Julian Schnabel: A Private Portrait | 2017-05-05 | Self (archive footage) |
| Jean-Michel Basquiat, artiste absolu | 2022-06-22 | Self (archive footage) |
| King Pleasure | Self (archive footage) | |
| Shooting Star: Jean-Michel Basquiat | 1990-01-01 | Self (archive) |
| Histoire bruyante de la jeunesse (1949-2020) | 2020-11-21 | Self (archive footage) |
| TV Party | 1978-12-18 |