Feeder 3.2 by Devin Cooney

I am not sure about you guys, but for me, the art that I like makes people think about different issues. If the artwork makes me think, it will have a lasting imprint on me. Jean Michel Basquiat made people think about his paintings. In his painting, Per Capita, he displays the economic struggle of the African-American man. Using Per Capita as an example, Basquiat's claim to fame comes from his amazing ability through his art to stimulate debate and encourage discussion. I feel that this ability helps artists gain lasting fame in the art industry.

Jean Michel Basquiat, a painter during the 1980’s, had a rugged style. His graffiti-like paintings made him an icon during this decade. However, the thing that impresses me lies within his ability to arouse discussion with his paintings. His paintings convey a message. His ability to show people the inequalities people face everyday makes people think about his message after they finish looking at the painting.

Per Capita, while looking extremely disorganized and jumbled, comes back to a common theme. In the top left corner, it has the Per Capita income of different states. Per Capita shows the amount of money an average citizen of that state makes per year. I think this message points towards economic unfairness because the large difference between Per Capita incomes amongst the states. Many of Basquiat’s paintings center on unfairness, whether racial or economic. This painting finds a way to mention both in a way that would encourage debate between many different people.

Basquiat also finds a way to encourage racial debate. The focus of the painting seems to be the black man in Everlast shorts, which could be a boxer. He has a halo above his head, which gives off a holy impression. Basquiat finds many ways to highlight the struggles of the black man in his paintings. For example, “Untitled” by Basquiat, according to Michael Dragovic’s article “Basquiat: An Analysis of Nine Paintings,” points to the fact that in the painting, a black man is being beaten by two white cops. Right next to this image, a loan building stands, suggesting the depiction of an urban area. This can point to Basquiat’s other paintings displaying the struggles of the black man.

Because the painting focuses on economic struggle, the black boxer in the painting could have been in trouble financially. Joe Louis could have been this man. Dragovic also points out in Basquiat’s painting, “St. Joe Lewis Surrounded by Snakes”, that “a haloed boxer not unlike the one [seen] in Per Capita is surrounded by greedy trainers and managers, represented by…floating faces hovering behind Joe Louis, who eventually left Louis financially ruined by misleading him….” This could be the same message he is portraying in Per Capita. This boxer shows how someone else’s greed can leave you in financial ruin. He carries a torch also. This could be a reference to the Statue of Liberty. The Statue of Liberty symbolizes what this country represents; a country fighting for the equality of Americans. This painting symbolizes the fight for equality that all Americans strive for. It is funny that a boxer carries the torch because he fights for a living.

As you can see, Basquiat does a fantastic job of using images and words that will lead to heated debate and discussion. If artists get their viewers thinking about their painting, they have done their job. The fact that Basquait conveys messages that spark debate points to the reason for his decade long success. I challenge you kids to find a painting that interests you, and find some things about it that make you think. We are almost at the home stretch, kids! Just one more post, and this semester-long journey will be reaching its end. I have had a great time teaching you guys.

FUN LINKS!!
“Basquiat: An Analysis of Nine Paintings" by Michael Dragovic: http://www.umich.edu/~historyj/docs/2009-winter/dragovic.pdf