From the artist's life
Basquiat began as the graffiti duo SAMO before, at 21, befriending Andy Warhol and becoming an art-world sensation.
Source: Wikipedia / WikimediaNeo-Expressionism
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960–1988) rose from New York graffiti to international art stardom in just a few years. His raw, urgent paintings fuse text, anatomy and African-American history into a fierce poetic language.
Dead at 27, Basquiat became a symbol of raw genius; his works now rank among the most expensive in the history of American art.
- Rose from street graffiti (SAMO) to global fame in a few years.
- Fused words, symbols and figures into raw, charged paintings.
- Died at 27; his work now commands record prices.
Key works
Where to start
Complete list of key works
Works with a dedicated ArtAtlas page are highlighted in gold.
- Untitled (Skull)On ArtAtlas
- Gem Spa (Basquiat)Listed for reference
- A Panel of ExpertsListed for reference
- La HaraListed for reference
- Hollywood AfricansListed for reference
- Irony of Negro PolicemanListed for reference
- Dos Cabezas (Two Heads)Listed for reference
- Taxi, 45th/BroadwayListed for reference
1981
Untitled (Skull)
Basquiat began as a street poet-graffitist under the cryptic tag SAMO in New York.