In my art class, I was analyzing a painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat. My eyes really opened up, and I came to realize that Black art came with struggle. In the early 1980s, a significant number of art pieces were created. Numerous pieces included scribbles. These scribbles were not there for mere decoration. They had a much deeper meaning.
The scribbles often looked like lines and graffiti marks. They mostly represented emotion and the struggles faced by Black people at the time, but they also challenged traditional forms of art and showed that there was no limit to creativity. I love how basic lines can represent the chaotic layers of Black existence.
One of the art pieces I looked at was Horn Players. The piece features two main figures clearly meant to be Black jazz musicians drawn in Basquiat’s iconic raw style. The use of bold lines and distorted shapes captures deep emotional feelings. The main figure is topped with a sharp, spiky halo, a signature crown Basquiat used to represent Black heroism, royalty, and sometimes the vulnerability of genius.
Behind him, a second figure is brought to life through the instrument they hold, perfectly capturing the feeling of rhythm, life, and soul. In the end, I think the piece is Basquiat’s way of showing massive respect to jazz and the geniuses behind it. I think he may have been inspired by legends like Charlie Parker. He used his own unique code to talk about important topics like identity, race, and what it means to be a Black hero in America.
The painting captures both the messy, raw emotion of music and the serious thought that goes into creating it. It shows just how much Basquiat looked up to these musicians and the cultural impact they had on him. That is probably why it is still considered such a legendary piece of contemporary art today. It is not just a picture of musicians. It is a deep dive into the soul of music itself.
I really think people should take the time to appreciate the works of those who came before us. Those artists worked very hard. They created art during times of struggle, yet I do not believe they are appreciated enough, if at all. Honoring these people is the least we can do after everything they contributed to the Black community.
Nowadays, art is often viewed as a form of individual self-expression. In the past, art represented a group of people who shared the same struggles and fought together to overcome them. Art was not just about the individual. It reflected an entire community.
Knowing this has made me appreciate art more than ever. Together, we should stop underappreciating art today because it has come a long way. The paths our ancestors paved, and the blood and tears that were shed for us to have a better life, should never be put to waste.