Basquiat - A Quick Killing in Art

This biography chronicles Jean-Michel Basquiat's explosive breakthrough and early death amidst the wild art scene of the 1980s. In just a few years, he went from graffiti artist on the streets of New York to international superstar, buoyed by an art market marked by excess, fame and destruction.

A central figure in the downtown scene, Basquiat moved in circles with the likes of Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and Madonna as his art grew in power and importance. Although he died young, he left behind a body of work that remains more relevant than ever.

In light of today's focus on diversity and Black Lives Matter, Basquiat stands as a crucial role model: a black artist who broke through in a predominantly white art world and achieved lasting global influence.