Graffiti is an important form of expression that has its roots deep into New York City Culture. As such, there are people who were and still are at the forefront of creating graffiti.            

           When people think of NYC Graffiti, one of the first names that comes to mind is Jean-Michel Basquiat. Basquiat was born in 1960 and was raised in Brooklyn. His mother instilled a large amount of respect for the arts when he was younger, even enrolling him as a junior member in the Brooklyn Museum of Art. Sadly, his mother was sent to a mental institution when he was thirteen and Basquiat sent to live with his father. After his mother left, Basquiat felt like he had no reason to stay at home. He constantly ran away from home but always ended up returning. At seventeen he dropped out of Edward R. Murrow High School, and his father was so angry that he kicked Basquiat out of the house. Basquiat used this as a way to improve his artistic talent and attended City-As-School, an unorthodox school where many students went to as an alternative form of education. Since he was kicked out of the house, he lived with some friends and made ends meet by selling t-shirts. It was around this time than he began creating graffiti.

           He and his buddy, Al Diaz, went under the pseudonym SAMO. The origins of SAMO is actually quite interesting. He and Diaz were trying to figure out a good name to create graffiti under. While they were thinking, they were under the effects of marijuana, i.e. stoned. Since they referred to their marijuana as “the same old shit” they shortened that to SAMO. SAMO’s usual graffiti spots were buildings specifically in the Lower Part of Manhattan. It was then that his Basquiat began to be noticed. Basquiat was lucky enough to meet Andy Warhol in a restaurant, and showed Warhol his work. Warhol was stunned with how talented Basquiat was, and they collaborated together on some art projects. In 1982 Basquiat traveled to California to work in a studio Larry Gagosian had built there. Larry Gagosian is known for founding the Gagosian Gallery, which houses high quality museum exhibitions. Something to note is that during the time, Basquiat was dating an unknown singer. When Gagosian asked Basquiat who she was. Basquiat replied with “Her name is Madonna and she’s going to be huge” (Jones). This is a testament to how well Basquiat understood people, and knew about their talents. Sadly, Basquiat would not be around to see Madonna’s fame because he died in 1988 to a drug overdose.

           One of Basquiat’s most famous creations is his “Untitled Skull.” The skull has very distinct lines separating very distinct facial features. Some historians like to Basquiat was inspired by Frankenstein, which would make sense considering the art style. The wide variety of shapes and figures could represent the idea of inner beauty over outer beauty, and it doesn’t matter what a person looks like and should focus on his personality. Similarly, in Frankenstein, the monster was capable of real thought and emotion but no one cared because of his outward appearance. Also a picture of a skull could represent him believing in the preservation in knowledge, and that knowledge is a form of power. Without knowledge, people would be ignorant to the injustices of the society around them. Through a simple image, Basquiat is warning everyone about the dangers of blind obedience.             

           Basquiat’s work has left a big impact on graffiti in New York City, so much so that his effects are still reverberating today. Banksy the well-known English Graffiti Artist, recently created a set of murals in an homage to Basquiat’s works (Sulcas). Basquiat’s short life and humble beginnings represents the true meaning of graffiti. It’s a medium that doesn’t care who you are, whether you’re young or old, rich or poor etc. It changes everyone in the same way.

 

Works Cited

Jones, Alice. “Larry Gagosian Reminisces about the Days Madonna Was His Driver.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 10 Jan. 2013, www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/larry-gagosian-reminisces-about-the-days-madonna-was-his-driver-8446624.html.

Sulcas, Roslyn. “Banksy Strikes Again, With Nod to Basquiat.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 18 Sept. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/09/18/arts/design/banksy-jean-michel-basquiat-barbican-center.html.