Jean-Michel Basquiat

The Radiant Child

Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) was an American artist who rose to fame during the 1980s as part of the Neo-expressionism movement. Beginning as a graffiti artist in New York City under the pseudonym SAMO, Basquiat's raw, frenetic style blended text, symbols, and figures to comment on race, identity, and social issues.

Despite his short career, Basquiat produced over 1,000 paintings and 2,000 drawings before his death at age 27. His work continues to influence contemporary art and break auction records, cementing his legacy as one of the most important artists of the late 20th century.