Jean-Michel Basquiat’s "Beef Ribs Longhorn"

The time, the 1980s, when Basquiat was enjoying the fame was "the golden years for contemporary art" . It was the time when artists gathered in America, minds met and creativity boomed. New York City benefits from the exodus of Jewish from Europe. Along with the wealth shift from Paris to the U.S., NYC became the "most exciting center for modern and contemporary art". It was the time when business embraced contemporary art. Art objects had been widely recognized as the crystallization of wealth and aesthetic value. Besides, it represents economic and political power, a living sign of wealth. Accordingly, people's passion for art increased so steadily that even an economic crisis could only accelerate its rising. Conversely, the colossal commercial structure influenced the art world sharply as well. New galleries sought for promotion. The purpose of creating art was blurred with business consideration.

Except for new-expressionist, Critics usually also consider Basquiat as a postmodernist who gives an attack on modern and pop art. Postmodernism was originally an architecture style but applied to cultural phenomenon in the late 20th century as well. It has the unique feature of “irony, knowingness, cynicism, powerlessness, and pleasure”and the media is an international language. Evidently, the intertextuality of the text occurs between the text Basquiat read and the meme on his works.

Post-colonialism is another theme when talking about Basquiat. In his Self-portrait he was sole a black figure with white eyes and teeth, surrounded by a world in white. The repeating name Ben Webster is one of the three most influential Jazz stars in the twentieth century, who was an African American. This element shows freemasonry between two talented black people who brought art, and happiness to the world. Basquiat often mentioned his confusion and disappointment with a numb facial expression "black people never get being portraited realistically. I mean, not even are being portraited in modern art." He was like an innocent child, facing both the fame, money, and the subtle isolated position in a white people dominated world. However, maybe he did not realize it himself, he was also a son of Latin American parents. The composition of Basquiat's art mysteriously draws the connection to the Latin American tradition of full imagery and small sections of numerous symbols.

Basquiat died at a very young age, 27, due to an overdose of heroin. The beginning of his addiction to drugs was the habit prevalent in the New York art circle, but his unhappiness is certainly the culprit of his overdose and death. Due to his identity of marginalized race, and his uneducated experience (in art), Basquiat had to deal with some dilemmas. He could enjoy the fame but could not have a taxi sent him home. Critics were also mean to him. All those pressure pushed him to an extreme state and all his friends worried about him. Psychologic approach scholars consider the black markers over originally painted part of his late period art (Pic 4) as a sign of emotionally unstable and insecure. Another symbol, the little crown, might link to his pride in his achievement, something approved by money but not by life. One day, a friend of mine wrote a note "I don't want to sit here and watch you die" to Basquiat. That was the last day. Basquiat left that night.

Check it out links!

1. https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/21-facts-about-jean-michel-basquiat
2. http://www.basquiat.com/artist.htm#
3. https://www.britannica.com/topic/art-market/The-latter-half-of-the-20th-century
4. https://smarthistory.org/jean-michel-basquiat-horn-players/