SAFFRON ART APPRECIATION: JEAN MICHEL BASQUIAT

(December 22, 1960 – August 12, 1988)

So, we at SAFFRON appreciate art and are continually finding striking pieces  and learning more about the intriguing artists that make them, today we focus on Jean Michel Basquiat who is considered by many art critics to be on of the most prolific artists to have lived in the last century. Basquiat was a Haitian American artist, of Haitian and Puerto Rican decent. He gained popularity first as a graffiti artist in New York City, and then as a successful 1980s-era Neo-expressionist artist. Basquiat's paintings continue to influence modern-day artists and command high prices. As a matter of fact, as recent as November 2008, Basquiat's 1982 piece, Untitled(Boxer), was sold for US$13,522,500 (estimate upon request in the region of US$12 million) to a telephone bidder at a Christie's auction. Tragically, Basquiat died of a drug overdose at the age of 28.

Above, a picture of Basquiat and Andy Warhol infront of one of their collaborative pieces, Felix the Cat 1984-95.