Friday, February 17, 2012

Exploiting our culture through art

Jean-Michel Basquiat. Recognize the name? I didn't until a week ago when my friend introduced me to his biographic film "Basquiat." Truly an astounding artist and person , Jean-Michael painted because he just wanted to paint and express himself. Fortunately and unfortunately he was soon discovered and pretty much exploited his entire (short) career. Jean-Michael was half Haitain, half Puerto Rican which to his was a norm; but to society he was different. He was a "black" artist and Andy Worhol's "pet." Unfortunately through depressiona and an addiction to drugs, he died at the young age of 27. Today his paintings sell for millions of dollars.


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