Jean Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat was an American artist who rose to fame in the 1980s as part of the neo-expressionism movement. He started his career as a graffiti artist under the name SAMO, writing witty and cryptic messages on the walls of Manhattan. He later transitioned to painting on canvas, using vibrant colors, symbols, words, and collage to create expressive and powerful works that reflected his experiences as a black artist in a predominantly white art world. He collaborated with famous artists such as Andy Warhol and Keith Haring, and explored themes such as racism, colonialism, class struggle, and pop culture. He died at the age of 27 from a heroin overdose, leaving behind a legacy of influential and groundbreaking art that continues to inspire and challenge viewers today.