Basquiat transitioned from street artist to painter, participating in the influential Times Square Show in 1980. His raw, expressive canvases stood out immediately, attracting critics, collectors, and fellow artists who recognized his unique voice and energy.

The Shoot: “His space was packed with people. Jean-Michel attracted people for all kinds of reasons. He was charismatic, beautiful, a bit haunting and a genius in his own right. There was just a wonderfully crazy energy of smoke and people and music and painting.“ – Richard Corman