Jean-Michel Basquiat

In a span of only eight short years, Jean-Michel Basquiat created about 1000 paintings and more than 2000 drawings– all before his death at the age of 27. In honor of what would have been his 50th birthday, Fondation Beyeler has a retrospective on view with over 150 paintings and works on paper from private collections and museums. The energy from his canvases pulsates throughout the multiple galleries. He was the youngest artist to be invited to show in Documenta 7 in 1982 and also had work on view at PS1 and Gagosian Gallery. He borrowed imagery from his surroundings making the work relevant and relatable to viewers. Gestural brushwork gives his work an immediacy and layers give it depth and structure.

Basquiat, Pegasus, 1987

This work was created during the final stage of Basquiat’s life when his “range of sources expanded.” In the top right corner he painted over some of the work in black, almost as if he was not sure if he wanted the rest of the world to know what was going on inside his head.

Pegasus, detail

As a fan of artists who use text, it is clear the tremendous impact and influence Basquiat has had on artists like Simon Evans whose work also consists of symbols, words, and phrases from his personal experiences and daily life. It is almost a stream of consciousness–but an organized chaos for sure.