Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960–1988) was a pioneering American artist of Haitian and Puerto Rican descent who became a defining figure of the 1980s art world. Emerging from Brooklyn, Basquiat began as a graffiti artist under the tag “SAMO©” in New York City, before rapidly ascending to the forefront of the Neo-Expressionist movement. His work—characterized by raw brushwork, intense color, and fusion of text and imagery—grappled with complex themes like race, class, power, and the African diaspora, all while referencing music, history, and his own experiences as a Black artist within a predominantly white art establishment.
Basquiat gained international recognition with early shows at MoMA PS1 and the Whitney Biennial, becoming the youngest artist to participate in major exhibitions and forging collaborations with icons like Andy Warhol. His motifs, such as the three-pointed crown and recurring heroic figures, remain widely celebrated. Despite his brief career—cut short by his death at 27—Basquiat’s prolific output left an indelible mark: his works are held in major collections worldwide, and his influence continues to resonate in contemporary art and culture.