The post-graffiti moment in 1980s New York City marked the transition of street art from city walls and subway trains onto canvas and into the art world. Jean-Michel Basquiat became the galvanizing, iconic frontrunner of this transformational movement in contemporary American art. Unabashedly ushering in the end of an era defined by carefully tempered conceptual and minimalist art, he infused the art world with lushly expressionist, pop, and street-inspired compositions.
Basquiat frequently used crossbar stretchers that incorporated diverse found materials into his work, lending the canvas a sculptural quality and an intentional rawness that contrasts with pop culture’s slickness. Through expressionist text and images, Basquiat examined the bleak realities of racism and class divides. He commanded attention of the predominantly white art world and inspired a generation of black creatives.  

Project: Converse X Jean-Michel Basquiat Global Campaign
Date: September 2021
Art Director: Justin Jiang
Design Partner: PAQ Works