figures, body parts, and symbols of death.
Basquiat was only twenty-seven when his promis-
ing career ended with a drug overdose. During his
last seven years, he produced more than one thou-
sand paintings and two thousand drawings, which
have inspired varying interpretation and debate.
Impact Basquiat was one of the most successful and
controversial artists of the decade. He achieved in-
ternational fame with solo exhibitions throughout
the world. With his rough, energetic, figurative style,
he came to be identified with the loosely knit group
known as neoexpressionists. Borrowing from a vari-
ety of sources, he combined multiple cultural identi-
ties and aesthetic traditions. His subjects, although
not new, were treated with a candor that captured
important aspects of his multicultural urban envi-
ronment. His distinctive style incorporated both
primitivism and sophistication. Although his work
appeared simplistic, it created a powerful reflection
of life in the 1980’s.Further Reading
Chiappini, Rudy, ed.Jean-Michel Basquiat. Milan,
Italy: Skira Press, 2005.
Emmerling, Leonhard.Jean-Michel Basquiat, 1960-
1988. Cologne, Germany: Taschen Press, 2003.
Pearlman, Alison.Unpackaging Art of the 1980’s. Chi-
cago: University of Chicago Press, 2003.
Cassandra Lee TellierSee also African Americans; Art movements; Neo-
expressionism in painting; Racial discrimination;
Schnabel, Julian; Slang and slogans.The Eighties in America Basquiat, Jean-Michel 99
Jean-Michel Basquiat, right, poses with Andy Warhol in front of paintings on which the two artists collaborated at a gallery exhibition in
SoHo in September, 1985.(AP/Wide World Photos)