5 Quotes & Sayings By Jeanmichel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat was a young American artist of Haitian descent who died at the age of 27. Considered to be the "youngest major artist" of his time, Basquiat is known for his large-scale paintings and prints, as well as his drawings and collages. He grew up in a family of painters – his mother was a professional portraitist – and he was introduced to art at an early age. He went on to attend Pratt Institute, where his talent as a painter was noticed by students and faculty alike Read more

In 1979, he had his first one-man show at the Leo Castelli Gallery in New York City. In the early 1980s, he became involved with Andy Warhol's Factory scene and gained fame as a graffiti artist. In 1984, Basquiat exhibited a series of works at the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris.

He is considered one of the most important artists of his generation.

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Since I was seventeen I thought I might be a star. I'd think about all my heroes, Charlie Parker, Jimi Hendrix... I had a romantic feeling about how these people became famous. JeanMichel Basquiat
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I don't think about art when I'm working. I try to think about life. JeanMichel Basquiat
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I don't listen to what art critics say. I don't know anybody who needs a critic to find out what art is. JeanMichel Basquiat
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I had some money, I made the best paintings ever. I was completely reclusive, worked a lot, took a lot of drugs. I was awful to people. JeanMichel Basquiat