The 27 club: Jean-Michel Basquiat

"Then, prematurely old at 27, with nearly 1,000 paintings and more drawings behind him, he rolled off the bed and onto the floor, his lifeless body making way for the growing legend."

- Rick Groen, The Globe and Mail

There's a strange trend in Hollywood regarding artists who happen to pass away at the age of 27. This strange statistical spike has no explanation, except for maybe the fact that these artists could've been more legendary than they already are. Or has their early demise made them martyrs for the generations they moved with their art? The world is left to ponder on the tragic thought of what could have been, had they lived on.

The 27 club is usually only a club for musical artists, however Jean-Michel Basquiat (A Visual artist) seems to strangely fit the bill. History lessons on interesting characters like Basquiat aren't usually as exciting as the people themselves Basquiat's life,even from a young was as abstract as the artwork he painted. Like a large list of other 'successful' people Jean-Michel Basquiat happened to be a high school drop out.

Disclaimer: High school and collage drop outs who become successful usually have a strong drive and a lot of luck in terms of their claim to wealth and fame, never underestimate the power of knowledge and a solid education as a foundation. Drop outs don't always make it, educate yourself!

Basquiat worked hard, selling shirts and postcards he made of his own artwork. In 1980, Basquiat tracked Pop art genius, Andy Warhol, to a restaurant. Warhol

was impressed by Basquiat's creative work and would later collaborate with him on a project. Basquiat, "The Radiant Child", and his style took the 80s by storm. Italy, Venice, Hollywood, the Gagosian Gallery, no venue was safe from the buzz that he was causing in the art world at the time with his Art.

Basquiat was a Neo-expressionist, in terms of the art he produced. Neo-expressionists use abstract shapes in their art, usually portraying recognisable objects like the human body. They convey a vividly emotional message in their art by using a rough art style.

The rock star lifestyle consumed him until on August 12 1988, Basquiat overdosed on heroin, and the art world lost another visionary, probably way too young. Those of us who are left behind, will seek inspiration from those who have left and avoid making their mistakes, to empower ourselves as artists.

Photo courtesy of : http://basquiat.com/

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