Jean-Michel Basquiat Untitled (1981)
Description: Basquiat's Untitled (1981), created using acrylic paint and oil sticks can be inferred to be a self-portrait due to the facial expressions. Basquiat focused and specialized in neo-expressionism which is the dramatic usage of colors and human-like figures. He also prevalently used aspects of his Afro-latino culture and heritage throughout his paintings to further amplify black voices in art and the experiences of being a POC in society.
Details:
As Basquiat and his art rose to fame and became culturally iconic, it formed a sense of pressure, anxiety and isolation for Basquiat. Creating this art piece allowed him to show and let out how he truly felt and the effect gaining recognition had on him. Jean-Michel was known to constantly push boundaries and be bold or loud with his paintings, representing black or POC subjects in his art. Representing mental health was no surprise as it further pushed boundaries and attacked the stigma depression had during the 1900s.
Details:
- The title being Untitled seems to be done on purpose as it shows how Basquiat himself was unsure of what was going on in the art piece and within himself
- The sunken eyes and downcast mood of the skull puts an emphasis on how the subject of the painting is exhausted, stressed and depressed
- The lines sticking out of the skull can represent screws or wounds which further implements the idea that the skull is torn or broken
- The contrast of colors between the inside of the skull and the background signifies how despite the surroundings being in a colorful and cheerful mood, the skull is internally dealing with overwhelmingness and mental illness
As Basquiat and his art rose to fame and became culturally iconic, it formed a sense of pressure, anxiety and isolation for Basquiat. Creating this art piece allowed him to show and let out how he truly felt and the effect gaining recognition had on him. Jean-Michel was known to constantly push boundaries and be bold or loud with his paintings, representing black or POC subjects in his art. Representing mental health was no surprise as it further pushed boundaries and attacked the stigma depression had during the 1900s.