Jean-Michel Basquiat

Basquiat's early work was heavily influenced by graffiti, which he used to express his creativity and to explore his identity as a young black man in New York City. His paintings often feature figurative elements, such as human figures, animals, and objects. However, these elements are often distorted or abstracted, creating a sense of ambiguity and mystery.

In his early work, Basquiat often used graffiti to express his anger and frustration about racism and violence. He would paint on walls and trains in New York City, and his work often featured images of skulls, bones, and other symbols of death. This work was a way for Basquiat to process his own anger and pain.

In his later work, Basquiat began to explore his own personal struggles with drug addiction and depression. He would often paint self-portraits that depicted his own pain and suffering. This work was a way for Basquiat to come to terms with his own demons.