Warhol and Basquiat

    

Andy Warhol "Campbell's Soup Cans" (1962)

Andy Warhol "Marilyn Diptych" (1962) 

Jean Micheal Basquiat "Crown" (1983)

Jean Micheal Basquiat "Cabeza" (1982)

 

    Andy Whorl was a child of immigrant parents and live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His dad realized his talents and put money aside to send him to college. After college Warhol went to New York City and started doing commercial pieces. Warhol became an illustrator for many magazines that wanted illustrations in their fashion magazines. After being a commercial artist for so long, it was hard for him to shift into other forms of art. His works wouldn’t sell and he was looked down on for being a commercial artist. Warhol’s mother came to live with him under the idea of moving out when her son gets a wife to take care of him. Throughout her time living with her son, she helped him produce more art, which allowed him to work on other pieces. 

    Warhol started doing silkscreen printings of celebrity portraits. He did multiple pieces on Marilyn Monroe after her death. Which are some of his most recognizable pieces. Warhol started doing self-portrait pieces that depicted his self-identity. Warhol's most common themes in his work are famous and identity. Warhol struggled with his own self-identity and often changed his look. Warhol was also homosexual and he presents part of his identity through portraits of men and himself. When he became more famous he also made a piece around the theme of money. Coming from an immigrants family, graduating from college, moving to New York, and entering the world of commercial art gave Warhol many perspectives of how he could insert money themes into his artwork. Warhol was commissioned for multiple pieces after his fame took off, he made lots of money. Which drove him to create series off of his most paid works. 

    Jean- Micheal Basquiat was a child of A Haitan man and Puerto Rican woman. He lived in Brooklyn, New York. In contrast to Warhol, his father did not like his creativity. Although his mother did support his creativity. Basquiat had major cultural influence from a young age, he spoke multiple languages and lived in one of the most diverse cities in the world. He started graffiti around the city under the tag SAMO, which started to make a name for him. When he dropped out of high school, his father kicked him out which led him to sell his art on the streets. After he started doing paintings he did not go unrecognized in the art world. He was highly criticized by some, but also loved by many. He made friendships with many other artists and celebrities. Basquiat was a highly commissioned artist because art lovers wanted his original pieces. 

    Basquait art received a major influence from his cultural background. Between his parents being Caribbean and him being a black American, he created many pieces from this identity. He celebrated black people in his works and described them as "royalty". When his work was put in a group showcase his fame began, because of the criticism he received. But this is what would help create the art style of "Neo-expressionism" for which he received many praises. He started getting paid thousands of dollars because his work was desired by many. Basquait become very wealthy and was eventually paid millions for a single piece. He helped introduce many aspects of his own cultural influence into the higher-up art world. Basquiat and Warhol collaborated on an art series together. These two artists became very good friends. Both of these artists created their own identities in the art world and would be highly recognized in pop art and Neo-expressionism. 

“Jean-Michel Basquiat.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 13 Jan. 2021, www.biography.com/artist/jean-michel-basquiat.

Tate. “What Was Andy Warhol Thinking? – Look Closer.” Tate, www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/andy-warhol-2121/what-was-andy-warhol-thinking.