26th Annual Student Research Conference
"Most Young Kings Get Their Heads Cut Off:"
A Look into the Life of Jean-Michel Basquiat
Julie L. Davis
Dr. David Robinson and Prof. John Bohac , Faculty Mentors
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) came to fame in New York City the early 1980s after being recognized for his graffiti work and paintings under the name SAMO (short for Same Old S***"). As with most artists, his art reflected the environment in which he worked: 1980s SoHo, complete with parties, artists, and drugs along with capturing famous people from history, such as Charles Darwin, Charlemagne, Cortez, and Nat King Cole. Basquiat cultivated close relationships with the likes of Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Julian Schnabel, Glenn OBrien, Madonna, and Debbie Harry. His relations with these influential icons and others propelled and influenced his career and personal life. Basquiat was rebellious against the mainstream and the status quo; he wanted to change peoples views on the world through his art. Ultimately though, it was Basquiats life choices that led to his early death.
Keywords: Jean-Michel Basquiat, painter, Andy Warhol, drugs, graffiti , neo-expressionism, 1980s, New York City
Topic(s):History Senior Seminar
History
Art - Art History
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 401-2
Location: VH 1236
Time: 2:45