My Role Model: Jean-Michel Basquiat

My+Role+Model%3A+Jean-Michel+Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat was an American artist who rose to success during the 1980s as part of the Neo-expressionism movement. But Even after Basquiat took New York by storm and became known and revered in the art world, racism persistently dogged him. At just 21, Jean-Michel Basquiat was selling his work and already on his way to becoming a millionaire. And yet taxis still wouldn’t stop for him,  so he took limousines everywhere he went, one of his partners named Maluku recalled. But if you thought that he only had Maluku you’re wrong. Often spotted beside Keith Haring and Andy Warhol, Basquiat would show up to Mr. Chow decked out in an Armani suit, so in Jeans’ career he had a bunch of help and people to guide him.  

Jean-Michel Basquiat Career 

Jean-Michel Basquiat first attracted attention for his graffiti under the name “SAMO” in New York City. He sold sweatshirts and postcards featuring his artwork on the streets before his painting career took off. He collaborated with Andy Warhol in the mid-1980s, which resulted in a show of their work. But during his career Jean would pick up a heroin habit in the early 1980’s, and he increased his use after he became wealthy. Most of his friends and business associates said that Jean was frequently offered drugs, both by dealers and private collectors, in exchange for his work. So since he started to take some drugs Basquiat died of an accidental drug overdose on August 12, 1988, at his Great Jones Street studio. He was only 27 years old. In the months preceding his death, the troubled artist claimed to be using a hundred bags of heroin a day.   

Conclusion Of Jean’s Life 

Jean-Michel Basquiat was one of the most prolific artists of the 1980s and has left a lasting legacy by way of his artwork. By the time he died in 1988 at just 27 years old, he had left over 1,000 paintings and 2,000 drawings.