Jean-Michel Basquiat

Born: December 22, 1960, Brooklyn, New York, USA
Died: August 12, 1988, New York City, USA
Nationality: American
Style: Neo-Expressionism, Street Art
Influences: Graffiti, primitivism, Jean Dubuffet
Major Exhibitions: "Untitled (Skull)" (1981), "Irony of Negro Policeman" (1981), "Hollywood Africans" (1983)
Quote: "I don't think about art when I'm working. I try to think about life."

This painting, while not strictly a "street" work, embodies the energy and style of Basquiat's graffiti roots (under the tag SAMO©). It features a complex mix of text, figures, and symbols, addressing themes of race, identity, and the history of Black people in America.

Basquiat's work bridged the gap between the street art scene and the established art world. Hollywood Africans, like much of his work, combines raw energy with sophisticated social commentary. His unique visual language incorporates elements of graffiti, Abstract Expressionism, and African art.