Jean-Michel Basquiat's Water-Worshipper: Powerful Juxtaposition of Cultural Sampling

Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Water Worshipper has a stronger narrative than is typical for Basquiat’s paintings, with multi-referential juxtaposition of stories, rich intercultural sampling, ideas “cut up” from their contexts, assimilated together in a powerful and enigmatic masterwork.
Basquiat represents the fierce individualism of an artist who stood apart from any single particular school of thought, and who created his own polyvocal identity to become of the most significant artists of the 20th century.

[@scottprather5645]

why does every video these days have to have annoying background music and sound effects

[@nkbellani]

More paintings I see here, more I feel hope begin to rise when I see my paintings . . .

[@ccosmoss]

Congratulations 👏

[@nkbellani]

@@ccosmoss Thank you, indeed.

[@petersampson5202]

GOD BLESS EVERYONE AT SOTHEBY'S. I AM VERY PROUD OF YOU AND VERY HAPPY FOR YOU. I HOPE ALL OF YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE MY FRIENDS. I HOPE YOU HAD THE BEST AND HAPPIEST CHRISTMAS OF YOUR ENTIRE LIFE. 🙏

[@user-nz4yd3iu4t]

멋찌고 아름답습니다~~

[@digitalgraphics4176]

*What is Your COMMISSION Percentage* ??

[@davidlubotsky7908]

He brought the street graffiti poetry and symbolism to the canvas. He had an excellent ability of pairing colors as well incorporating elements of abstract expressionism and tribal African art elements with a raw and fast technique. But let's not kid ourselves into thinking that those who are buying these paintings give a rats ass about the painters culture or message vs the fact that the high dollar works, most are scribbles, is a currency now$$$. That said, he opened the door so to speak for not only this street style work but also other artists of color though it's been slow coming but now is the new flavor so to speak yet the flavor had been around for a long time already. No artists works are all absolutely amazing but when selling for high prices, it's the currency of the work that speaks loudest as high demand for limited works as the man has been dead for decades. It's the secondary market prices fueling the interest. So be it. The young man had a true soul of an artist.

[@brandoniswhoiam]

Basquiat was an incredible artist.

[@dannistor7294]

... I might believe these very serious speakers if I wouldn't be aware of the heaps of money involved...

[@rutbrea8796]

Indeed it's a message to all mankind about slavery, but to me it's not really "Art." Maybe graffiti? But Art to me is the capture of a significant moment in a person's life which will never return. A person in the life of an individual, an animal in the wild, Nature in it's intrinsic moment of light and darkness. The Universe full of it's glory; all shown on a canvas with the skills of the artist knowledge and emotions expressed. That's art to me! The old Masters knew how to put it on a canvas or 📜 paper.

[@jackgang7871]

why would sotheby's ever be critical on the paintings they sell themselves haha

[@AX1A]

This piece doesn't look right -- has its provenance been confirmed?

[@emilywong4601]

Wasn't he murdered by the police?

[@ApplePie..]

Heroin overdose.

[@altorre5739]

@@ApplePie.. Coke ?

[@shonuffLA]

Lol this is terrible

[@ApplePie..]

Seriously.