Kathleen DaSilva
Professor Cacoilo
Art Self Image
April 21, 2021
When we think of artist, it’s clear that the first thing that comes to mind is how their pieces might have touched or moved us in some way. Two artists that were influential and inspirational are Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Andy Warhol having been diagnosed with Sydenham’s chorea at a young age, maintained much of his time confined to bed. In that time in bed rest, he drew, listened to the radio, and collected pictures of movie stars. The Warhol family had few luxuries due to the Great Depression-era. However, his parents bought him his first camera when he was eight years old. Andy Warhol years later, started his career with consumer ad designer by painting items that were used throughout most days and those commercial ads were created to devoting more attention to the concept of “pop art”. His artwork theme also revolved around money, time, death and without a doubt, celebrity. It was clear that Warhol had an obsession with different celebrities and fame. “I’ve got to do something different, that will be very personal, that won’t feel like I’m doing exactly what they’re doing” (Andy Warhol Documentary Film Part 1 of 2). Much like Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat also focused on abstracts and his theme also reflected on the idea of wealth and how it compared to poverty. On the other hand, Basquiat’s work seemed to be on the darker note of reality. His pieces expressed the struggle of segregation that blacks would endure.
Despite their rough upcoming, their own experiences are placed in their work. Both having come from tough situations of life; they present the idea of not having the finer things life had to offer. With Warhol and his family going through the Great Depression and Basquiat having left home to live on the streets at a young age at a time where racism controlled everyday life. Both artists demonstrate the harsh reality and cruelness the world could potentially offer. I also strongly believe that from their work you can see bits and pieces of themselves. In Basquiat’s artwork, it can be described as different, raw, curious and maybe even somewhat weird. However, all those descriptions about himself, reflect in his work. His work is messy but creative, strange but clever, odd but colorful. “Jean was doing a much more intensely radical, bohemian style” (Jean Michel Basquiat / The Radiant Child, 2010) Overall, his pieces have hidden meanings that I think bring out his character, much like Warhol. Warhol was described as being bright and unafraid of what others would think of his work. Both Basquiat and Warhol carried that confident characteristic. With Warhol, he was also different and unique which clearly reflected in his eye-catching and lively portraits. I believe these incredible artists became synonymous with their work. As mentioned previously, each one of these artists have different styles but the overall meaning behind their work falls hand in hand. In the era of Warhol, he become infatuated with drawing celebrities. This concept played a role in his work because growing up, he was not able to afford the luxuries of life. The irony of not being able to live lavishly but painting those who could such as Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Elizabeth Taylor. In the eyes of the media, Basquiat’s pieces were in a sense a representation of the current social injustices and inequality. It seemed as if he was trying to paint a portrait of how others viewed the black community.
His portraits not only were unique but were meant to send out a message to the public. For their techniques, each artist has their own style. Andy Warhol preferred the form of acrylic painting on a canvas, photography and screen printing. Jean preferred painting on paper or canvas but even painted on materials he found on streets such as doors or scrapes or foam rubber which became relevant to the time he spent living on the street. “He used to make the joke that you date his work by the different sneakers he wore over the years” (Jean Michel Basquiat / The Radiant Child, 2010). Yet another way he made sure to bring his struggles into his pieces. From living most of his life on the streets, sometimes he would walk all over his pieces and leave behind his footprint physically on his artwork. In conclusion, both of these artists left their mark on the world through their work and it still moves and relates to individuals today.
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