Basquiat, Warhol, and Mendieta

Basquiat, Walhol, and Mendieta

Jesn Michael Basquiat, Andy Walhol, and Ana Mendieta can be completely different, and yet very similar at the same time. Although the artists do not come from the same background, they still share important similarities. They had different methods and themes expressed in their art. They felt like outsiders and struggled to fit in, this feeling allowed them to work harder towards their goal. They were inspired by their life’s experiences and heritage. It is very passionate to study how they used Art as their voice and how determination was crucial to them. Since they were true to their passion and objectives, and followed the career path that inspired them.

Jean Michael Basquiat

Jean Michael Basquiat was a very young man, who came from a dysfunctional family, in the sense that his father was not a father figure to him. He was the son of immigrant parents. His harsh family relationship leads him to take the streets as his new home. Not following the traditional path allowed him to peruse art as his carrier. He was very passionate about it, as a result he was able to earn substantial amount of money for his work and was well-known. Basquiat became close friend with Andy Warhol and they also worked together, influencing in each other's work. Unfortunately, Basquiat died at a very young age due to a heroin overdose.  

Basquiat began by painting quotes about politics and issues of the time in the streets, his method of art at the time was graffiti since he combined words and cartoon-like--figures. Later, he tried a new way, and started painting. He painted anywhere and anything, as long as he was inspired. We are able to understand how simple things can become iconic in the art world, Basquiat teaches us that. How breaking the rules, thinking outside the box, and having a unique perspective are great things to have. 

In Basquiat we also see how important it is to have a person who is willing to put some trust in ourselves. His girlfriend was very important, and she played an important role in his artistic career. She supported him so he could work on his art. Many of his themes were related to racism and fame. Also, there is a lot of urban representation in his art which can be related to his experiences. He lived on the streets and there was a time when he thought he was going to be homeless forever. 

Basquiat was a person who deeply care for reputation. He had an unstable lifestyle, specially regarding money. He was extravagant and wanted to show his financial status but at the same time he was humble. This also is understandable due to his past and how much he struggle to earn money. Basquiat, like Warhol and Mendieta brings his heritage (black heritage) into his art which can be interrelated to the American culture and it end up been exotic and valuable. 

Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol as a child was very sick and suffered from Sydenham chorea, a syndrome of involuntary movements. He also came from a poor family. From a very young age he was interested in art, his mother was a huge supporter. Warhol even peruse an education in art. It was not until he moved to New York that his work was noticed, leading him to gain fame. 

Warhol also had a unique style. He used a variety of colors and also recreated the same image, contain famous people of the time or objects. His career consisted on a huge range of art such as: painting, drawing, film, etc. His artworks play an important role in the American society as consumers, since there are advertisements for everything. His art work also had a dark side, he was very interested in tragic events of the time related to famous people. For example: Ernesto Che Guevara, Marilyn Monroe, and late president JFK. 

His work was influence by many things. Religion and homosexuality are two examples that are present in his work. Many of his work consisted of male nudes. Warhol took an interest for Jean Michael Basquiat and they ended up as friend and influencing in each other's work. Which was expected since Warhol was fascinated by artists and fame. Like Basquiat he openly talked about money and is also reflected in his work. Another aspect expected since he also comes form a poor family. 

Warhol died when he was 58 years old due to surgical complication. To this day he still is an example of overcoming obstacles, determination, and hard work, like Basquiat and Mendieta. I think his fame  is admirable and he did it in his own way. 

Ana Mendieta

 Ana Mendieta was a cuban-american artist. Due to the Cuban regime, her family was forced to sent her and her sister Raquelin to the U.S as refugee, she was only 12 years old when she left Cuba in such an abrupt and painful way. The girls found shelter in a Catholic all-girls school in Iowa.  During High School, she demonstrated a passion for art but her professors believed she was not good. 

Mendieta was determined to follow her passion and ignored what the professors said, she ended up pursuing a painting major at the University of Iowa. Later, she moved into different forms of expression and that is when she began to use the camera. She loved to work with elements such as plants, water, soil, and specially her body. 

Mendieta became very explicit with her view, acknowledging and revealing strong concepts for women such as: violence, rape, and feminism. It was important to her to bring awareness in her work, and she was able to make herself heard. Like Basquiat and Warhol, she included things that were important to her. Her heritage was also a huge part of her art, she basically becomes part of nature and is surrounded by earth elements in many of her works. 

Mendieta was only 36 years old when she died “falling from her apartment window” after a fight with her boyfriend. The exact cause of death remains unknown. Like Basquiat and Warhol, she had the American dream, she wanted to be successful. Unfortunately, she gained more fame after her death. 

 

Through these artists we learn the importance of our background and heritage. How we should used what is only ours to be unique and conquer our dreams. Basquiat, Warhol, and Mendieta are examples of how dreams come true but also what it takes to obtain those goals.