Jean-Michel Basquiat and the Neo-Expressionism Movement The neo-expressionism movement arose in the 1980’s as a way to speak out against mass media, history, or society through paintings (Kantor 14). The paintings of a neo-expressionist are usually harsh and have an aggressive subject. It gave a sense of freedom in the art world because it did not have any order to it. Neo-expressionists describe their art process as not really focusing on the painting, but on their thoughts and thinking. The paintings look deliberately “bad” as artists like to disregard what the critics idea of skill is in society at the time (Chilvers 497).
Jean-Michel Basquiat was an artist apart of the Neo-expressionism movement in the mid 1980’s. Born in Brooklyn, New York of December 22, 1960, Basquiat was born a self-taught artist when he was a young boy. His mother would encourage his artistic talents and inspired him by taking him to art shows and art museums. In the late 1970’s, Basquiat’s started off creating graffiti on public walls under the name “SAMO.” SAMO is a corrupted acronym created by Basquiat himself by him saying “SAMe Old Sh...” (Emmerling 12). This idea was created between him and a fellow graffiti artist of his in school named Al Diaz (Emmerling 12). It was meant to be an …show more content…
He serves as a lesson and a role model to most aspiring black artists. Basquiat’s life shows the danger of fame and what can happen if it is used wrongly, but also shows the hardship he went through and that even when life gets tough eventually a blessing can happen to get you out of it. He creates a role model figure for black artists to not have critics set them apart from any other artists just because they are black or have anyone disrespect you because of the color of your skin. Jean-Michel also sets a prime role as a neo-expressionist for his incorporation of graffiti and the meaning of his
Jean-Michel Basquiat was an artist apart of the Neo-expressionism movement in the mid 1980’s. Born in Brooklyn, New York of December 22, 1960, Basquiat was born a self-taught artist when he was a young boy. His mother would encourage his artistic talents and inspired him by taking him to art shows and art museums. In the late 1970’s, Basquiat’s started off creating graffiti on public walls under the name “SAMO.” SAMO is a corrupted acronym created by Basquiat himself by him saying “SAMe Old Sh...” (Emmerling 12). This idea was created between him and a fellow graffiti artist of his in school named Al Diaz (Emmerling 12). It was meant to be an …show more content…
He serves as a lesson and a role model to most aspiring black artists. Basquiat’s life shows the danger of fame and what can happen if it is used wrongly, but also shows the hardship he went through and that even when life gets tough eventually a blessing can happen to get you out of it. He creates a role model figure for black artists to not have critics set them apart from any other artists just because they are black or have anyone disrespect you because of the color of your skin. Jean-Michel also sets a prime role as a neo-expressionist for his incorporation of graffiti and the meaning of his