JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT

JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT - THE INFLUENTIAL, NEO-EXPRESSIONIST ARTIST WITH AN UNPARALLELED LEGACY

In our first ever collaboration with the legendary artist’ work and Artestar*, we pay tribute to his work and the legacy he left behind. Using our iconic silhouettes to provide new canvases for his work, we explored three of his most enigmatic pieces, Beat Bop, Dustheads and Pez Dispenser. 

Leaving behind an extraordinary amount of work and an unprecedented legacy, Jean-Michel Basquiat’s influence spans across art, music and multiple generations of young creatives. He exploded into the art world in the early 80s. And his impact can still be felt to this day. 

Ahead of his time, generations of artists have been unknowingly influenced by the neo-expressionist creative. With an enduring legacy of raging against injustice and racist barriers that excluded him from predominantly white areas of the art scene, his art still resonates for many people today. His influence is unmatched. 

“Skull imagery, cryptic symbols and enigmatic epigrams. Jean-Michel Basquiat was one of the most influential postmodern artists of the 20th Century.”

Transcending through New York’s art elite with his transition from streets and trains to art galleries, Basquiat’s genre-defying work defined an era. Speaking up on racial and socio-political issues, his sense of rebellion was fundamental to his spirit ⁠— and from Keith Haring to Andy Warhol, Basquait’s influence spread not just throughout the industry. But to other artists too.

Spanning art, music and culture, Basquait challenged the norm then. And continues to defy categorisation now. Basquiat’s boundary-breaking approach to art is Dr. Martens to the core.

Leaving behind an extraordinary amount of work and an unprecedented legacy, Jean-Michel Basquiat’s influence spans across art, music and multiple generations of young creatives. He exploded into the art world in the early 80s. And his impact can still be felt to this day. 

In our first ever collaboration with the legendary artist, we pay tribute to his work and the legacy he left behind. Using our iconic silhouettes to provide new canvases for his work, we’ve explored three of his most enigmatic pieces.

Beat Bop

Beat Bop. A ‘Holy Grail’ of hip-hop. A clash of hip hop and post-modern art, this canvas was used as the record cover of the 1983 song "Beat Bop" by lyricists Rammellzee and K-Rob. Drawing attention to the fluidity between music and art — and with Basquiat’s history with rap music, the exclusive artwork was symbiotic with the time and place of its creation. And became one of the most valuable rap records ever made.  

Dustheads

Painted in 1982 during the height of Basquiat’s short but explosive career, Dustheads was one of Basquiat’s most ambitious pieces. And for good reason. Standing at just over 7 feet tall, it once sold for almost $50 million dollars. A clash of vivid colours and bold brushstrokes bring it to life. And it’s deafening with Basquiat’s chaotic spirit.

Pez Dispenser

Basquiat’s iconic crown symbol has been seen across his art since his early NYC graffiti days. In Pez Dispenser, a crown is placed on top of a cartoon T-Rex. And it’s not without conflicting interpretations. Some say the childishness of the dinosaur means Basquiat is nodding to children being the future. Others say it’s a reflection of consumer culture. But whatever Basquiat’s intent was. We know one thing. It starts conversations — in true Basquiat fashion.