Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat was born in Brooklyn, New York. He started out as a graffiti artist in the late 1970's and 1980's. Many poor black people in Brooklyn were starting to try and make themselfs heard and voice there opinions through the form of art, often graffiti or rap music. Basquiat started out working with friends under the nickname SAMO. "Plush safe he think.. SAMO" and "SAMO as an escape clause.", these are some of the messages that can be seen on walls and building around Manhattan. In the late 1970's "SAMO IS DEAD" was seen sprayed on walls around soho and this was the end of the project. 

In late 1979 he became friends with Glenn O'Brian through a TV show he appered on and then was introduced to Andy Warhol who he later collaborated with. In late 1981 he joined Annina Nosei gallery and by 82' his work was being showed regularly alongside big artists. He based a great amount of his work on his views of racism. One of his most famous paintings was entitled 'Irony of a Nigro Policeman'.

He was known for many different things, such as a short romance with singer 'Madonna', some work with singer and artist David Bowie and his obvious stance against materialism. He would paint in Armani suits and would ofter be seen in public wearing the expensive suits splattered with paint.
In 1986 he appered on the cover of 'The New York Times Magazine'  and it was around this time that he was at the hight of his career.
When Andy Warhol died in early 1987 his heroin addiction and depression bacame more sevier and despite a few attempts at soberarity he died of a heroin overdose at his studio on 12th August 1988. He was a great inspiration to many and will always be an artist remembered.

Jean-Michel Basquiat pictured here with Andy Warhol.