Jean-Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat American Painter was born on December 22, 1960 in Brooklyn, New York. Jean-Michel is considered one of the best-known artists of his generation and one of only a small number of Hispanic-African-American artists to have achieved international recognition. Jean-Michel's father Gerard, was unable to fulfill the needs of his son of nurturing and recognition. To fill the void, Jean-Michel hit the streets of New York at a young age where art became an outlet for his anger and empty childhood. Also known by the tag "SAMO," Jean-Michel's unique brand of graffiti was found throughout Manhattan as early as 1976. "His work from the first consisted of conceptual, enigmatic combinations of words and symbols, executed with the curt simplicity of a late Roman inscription. In early 1982 Jean-Michel took the art world by storm with his rampageous one-man show at Annina Nosei's gallery. This momentum propelled him to the forefront of the Neo-Expressionist movement which was characterized by intense subjectivity of feeling and aggressively raw handling of materials.

On August 12th, 1988, Jean-Michel died from a drug overdose. Many critics say he preferred women and drugs (including Madonna) over galleries, art dealers, collectors, and money. Lacking the fatherly support and acknowledgment he so desperately sought, Jean-Michel was unable to balance fame and fortune with his personal demons.