Our race unites us in a powerful way. There is a certain comfortability in knowing there are people like us, even if it is just because of the color of our skin. In America, people of African descent tend to be deeply united due to a history of turmoil and discrimination. But still, Black Americans refuse to let this commonality stop them from being extremely unique. 

One unique figure in our black history was Jean-Michel Basquiat. His brief contribution to society came in the form of contemporary art. A very unconventional form as he was an artist who introduced common objects found on the street and words as a common theme in his art, which at his time and today, are not considered traditional art techniques. He chose these techniques to reflect the harsh way he grew up. Often bouncing from couch to couch in his childhood, he was not able to afford formal art supplies. His use of words reflected his experience on the streets during a time when graffiti was a creative outlet in his life. During that time, he developed his signature, “SAMO,” a signature he continued to use all throughout his professional career as an ode to his past life. 

Along with using unique artistic techniques, Basquiat focused on themes dealing with racism as well as mental and physical health. In youth, Basquiat was a victim in a car accident which landed him in the hospital, where he sketched anatomical drawings that were later used in his artwork. His work dealing with racial injustices often had portraits of influential black figures and words pertaining to the issue that were crossed out to bring more attention to it. The themes Basquiat chose to portray in his artwork, along with the unique way in which he crafted them, gave Basquiat’s artwork a rawness people were not used to. In an article written by Medium, the writer described many of Basquiat’s art pieces as “too intimate.” Many spectators have had trouble looking at the paintings without feeling too much because of the rawness of what he painted.  

Jean-Michel Basquiat’s successful career ended too short at the age of 27 due to a heroin overdose. Though short lived, the artistic influence of Basquiat’s realness is still felt today, through more than just paintings. As a tribute, the Brooklyn Nets, one of New York’s NBA basketball teams, uses Basquiat’s lettering as well as his trademarked crown design is used on the new jersey’s that are worn during their games. Basquiat legacy of fighting against racial injustices continues to be timeless. In 2021, as the Black Lives Matter protests arose as a response to increased police brutality against the African American Community, Jean-Michel Basquiat became the most sold artist that year, as people sought artwork to reflect the way they were feeling at that time. 

Basquiat, one of many influential black artists, was incredibly successful in making a lasting impact on not just the black community in America but everyone. Today he is known as a desired artist and a historical influence. With his unconventional style and unique realism through his focused theme of racial injustice he chooses to highlight through his artwork, he is able to tell the story of all of our lives.