Bio:Known for his Graffiti style art, Basquiat was a young Afro-American self-destructive talent of the 20th Century. Born into a Puertorican-Haitian family, Basquiat's parents divorced and he spent some time in Puerto Rico.
For two years Basquiat lived on the streets, playing music and taking drugs. His first exhibition in 1980 and was named the "Times Square Show". It took place in an abandoned warehouse displaying work from artists of the punk and graffiti underground scene of New York. In 1981, Basquiat exhibited at the P.S.1 show, alongside other artists such as Keith Haring and Andy Warhol. This was undoubtedly a significant episode for Basquiat's career.
Within a short space of time Basquiat was well known in the world of art and just 2 years after his first exhibition he was one of the best selling artists of North America and Europe.
Jean-Michel's short and wild life led to an abrupt if not unsurprising end in 1988. It was rumored that he was spending in excess of $2,000 dollars a week on drugs and he was found dead on the floor of his studio.