A handful of black artists have chosen to explore this fascinating dichotomy, appropriating its image to create works that challenge viewers’ perceptions and beliefs.
Continue reading Black Artists Recreate the American Flag In Art
Life Doesn’t Frighten Me At All Life Doesn’t Frighten Me At All (1993) is a short poem written by Maya Angelou and illustrated by paintings of 1980’s artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. It is a short, simple but resonant book which blends Maya’s defiant and proud poetry with the raw, simple but lively and raucous child-like paintings of the poster-boy of the New York art-scene who … Continue reading Maya Angelou & Jean-Michel Basquiet: Life Doesn’t Frighten Me At All]
Ever since Gil Scott-Heron passed away I’ve been thinking a lot about addiction and the role it plays in the lives of creative people. In Gil Scott-Heron’s case it was crack that was his vice and pulled him from public view for the better part of a decade, but he was not alone in his penchant for escapism. In fact, most artists I know … Continue reading From Jean-Michel Basquiat to Gil Scott-Heron, Addiction & The Artistic Mind
Synopsis Jean-Michel Basquiat was born on December 22, 1960, in Brooklyn, New York. He first attracted attention for his graffiti under the name “SAMO” in New York City. He sold sweatshirts and postcards featuring his artwork on the streets before his painting career took off. He collaborated with Andy Warhol in the mid-1980s, which resulted in a show of their work. Basquiat died on August … Continue reading Profile: Jean-Michel Basquiat
Black Art Story 