Jean-Michel Basquiat was an art world phenomenon. He only had a professional career that lasted nine years, but in that time he managed to make himself one of the most significant painters of the 20th century.
Cadillac Moon (1981, coll. part.)
Six Crimee (1982, Los Angeles, Museum of Contemporary Art)
Baptism (1982, coll. part.)
Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child (DVD, release date: November 9) begins with the words of this seemingly prophetic poem by Langston Hughes.
This is a song for the genius child.
Sing it softly, for the song is wild.
Sing it softly as ever you can –
Lest the song get out of hand.Nobody loves a genius child.
Can you love an eagle,
Tame or wild?
Can you love an eagle,
Wild or tame?
Can you love a monster
Of frightening name?Nobody loves a genius child.
Kill him – and let his soul run wild
This is the most accurate writing piece on this magnificent artist influenced by Picasso, Warhol, and DaVinci, who starting out as a graffiti artist then involved in the Neo-Expressionist movement.
See the radiant child video on youtube :
