Jean-Michael Basquiat (1960-1988) was an emblematic artist of the 80’s visual arts. He was the only painter from the black race who got to be well positioned and recognized in the United States. Although he only painted for seven years, since he deceased in his 27, his work is prestigious and universally recognized. Basquiat’s work is enclosed in the neo-expressionism genre. His style transmits an unbridled freedom of expression combined with the suggestive, intense and aggressive lines, shapes and wild cuts. The texts, letters, numbers and symbols emphasize the hysterical and the indolent image of the figures. Also, Pop Colors are another aesthetic resource that helps the artist to create an atmosphere that transmits intensity through his
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This piece of art was created during these years, and as a fact, Basquiat conforms the face of the policeman with what it appears to be a cage. What gives the impression of a captive person. He paints an Afro American man who is imprisoned in a system where he does not belong. Furthermore, the way the silhouette is conformed with the head lounged in his shoulders is an authentic emblem of inferiority. On the left side of the painting it is observable a yellowish stain on the chest of the policeman. It was painted by the artist lightly; it is assumable by the intensity of the color. It fades away as the figure goes, what gives the impression of scarcity of interest. This yellow square is the badge of the policeman, which Basquiat sarcastically draws in the right side of the chest. Policemen are expected to wear their insignia on the left side of their uniforms. A police badge represents order and respect, feelings that were not felt for African Americans in the epoch this graffiti was composed. He tries to deliver his massage in a well-defined way. On the right side of the painting he writes the word “Left,” making clear for the admirers of his work the intentionality of the positioning of each object. Additionally, he encloses the emblem with a red …show more content…
Many critics claim that Basquiat was a revolutionary painter with a universal message, while others attempt to reduce his artistic achievements, calling him a fame-hungry pawn of the white gallery establishment (Jackson). This artwork represents his struggle trying to fit in the New York’s art society which was mostly controlled by white people. He had to change himself to be acknowledged by a monopoly with closed doors. Consequently, he is condemning himself and he is expressing it through his graffiti. The cage, the mask and the badge are part of the concealed language Basquiat uses to explain what he has become. He lived captive in world ruled by people with a different culture and paradigms. “Irony of a Negro Policeman” represents the irony of his own
This piece of art was created during these years, and as a fact, Basquiat conforms the face of the policeman with what it appears to be a cage. What gives the impression of a captive person. He paints an Afro American man who is imprisoned in a system where he does not belong. Furthermore, the way the silhouette is conformed with the head lounged in his shoulders is an authentic emblem of inferiority. On the left side of the painting it is observable a yellowish stain on the chest of the policeman. It was painted by the artist lightly; it is assumable by the intensity of the color. It fades away as the figure goes, what gives the impression of scarcity of interest. This yellow square is the badge of the policeman, which Basquiat sarcastically draws in the right side of the chest. Policemen are expected to wear their insignia on the left side of their uniforms. A police badge represents order and respect, feelings that were not felt for African Americans in the epoch this graffiti was composed. He tries to deliver his massage in a well-defined way. On the right side of the painting he writes the word “Left,” making clear for the admirers of his work the intentionality of the positioning of each object. Additionally, he encloses the emblem with a red …show more content…
Many critics claim that Basquiat was a revolutionary painter with a universal message, while others attempt to reduce his artistic achievements, calling him a fame-hungry pawn of the white gallery establishment (Jackson). This artwork represents his struggle trying to fit in the New York’s art society which was mostly controlled by white people. He had to change himself to be acknowledged by a monopoly with closed doors. Consequently, he is condemning himself and he is expressing it through his graffiti. The cage, the mask and the badge are part of the concealed language Basquiat uses to explain what he has become. He lived captive in world ruled by people with a different culture and paradigms. “Irony of a Negro Policeman” represents the irony of his own