New York, New York 1981

Jean-Michel Basquiat made this painting, New York, New York, using acrylic and oil paint stick, media that allows for quick, expressive gestures. See how the visible layers and textures were built up, rather than carefully blended? The dripped paint is the result of both the artist's hand, and the inherent viscosity of the paint itself. Basquiat was part of a downtown scene that questioned traditional artistic conventions. He brings in references from street art and graffiti, combining the raw energy of those forms with an awareness of art history. The use of oil sticks, similar to crayons, contributes to the sense of immediacy. The scribbled words and figures reflect a world saturated with information, advertising, and street culture, all delivered through industrial means. Basquiat's work reminds us that art can be made from anything and can reflect the here and now with all its cultural and social complexity.