Sign In
Not register? Register Now!
Pages:
5 pages/β‰ˆ1375 words
Sources:
9 Sources
Style:
MLA
Subject:
Visual & Performing Arts
Type:
Term Paper
Language:
English (U.S.)
Document:
MS Word
Date:
Total cost:
$ 21.6
Topic:

Analysis of Jean-Michel Basquiat

Term Paper Instructions:

FINAL PAPER
- My choice is Jean-Michel Basquiat
- The search for self-knowledge has intrigued many artists and writers who have explored how the Self responds to social identities and refashions itself throughout one’s life. For your research paper, please choose a visual artist (painter, sculptor, animator, illustrator, director, photographer, performance artist) whose body of work relates to the identity/self-knowledge issues we’ve been discussing in class. In your paper, you will briefly introduce the artist (a page at the most) and you will analyze their work from the perspective of self-revelation. You will also connect the artist to one of the texts or films we’ve dealt with in class, explaining the similarities or differences in their approach to the theme of self-discovery (a page or so).
At least half of your paper should be based on your own ideas. The rest should come from essays/books/articles that include the critical analysis of the artist’s work or give background information about their life.
- Try to select an artist that you are interested in, and make sure that they have at least 5-6 works of art that you can write about in connection with the self-discovery theme. In your paper you should provide a workable thesis that offers an angle for your analysis and will be proven by convincing arguments and examples. Give your paper a title that specifically reflects your topic.
- Give yourself enough time for research and revision.
- Use library (print) and Internet resources (Jstor is a good source). You must use at least two print resources. I will not accept a paper that only cites electronic information (especially Wikipedia and other unreliable blogs).
- Include citations for all quoted or paraphrased material in your bibliography page. Review MLA guidelines for proper citation.
- At the end of the semester, you will be giving a presentation based on your paper.
- LENGTH 5 pages
- typed, double-spaced
- 12 pt. type, Times New Roman, 1-inch margins
- FORMAL REQUIREMENTS: Include a cover page that will include the title of your paper and add a bibliography page. You should also add visuals if applicable (not included in the 5-page count).

Term Paper Sample Content Preview:
[Your Name]
[Instructor Name]
[Course Number]
[Date]
Art Expresses Emotion
Background Story
Jean Michel Basquiat was born on December 20, 1960, in Brooklyn, NY, USA, and died on August 12, 1988, in New York City. He is an American painter and graffiti artist known for crawl text and graffiti-like images. He is a neo-expressionist who came to the fore in the 1980s and dealt with the draft handling of materials opposite to minimalism and conceptual art practice in the 1970s. Jean Michel Basquiat can be characterized as rebellious, politically radical, angry, and controversial. Basquiat’s paintings are childlike or primitive-looking but with hidden meanings and vibrancy. He is known as a precursor or pioneer in the history of street art (Gaillard 59). Although the human body is used extensively in Basquiat’s art, emotion influences his message. He also portrayed famous black figures, especially boxers, sports stars, and musicians. Thesis statement: Art can be used to express emotions of hopelessness, despair, and renewed hope.
Jean Michel Basquiat gained fame for his marvelous art and his dynamic personality. He was a fearless and creative artist whose messages still resonate today. The images and the overlying text in his work question several themes, including consumerism, racism, history of art, and classism. In his work, he used different motifs and themes to convey cynicism. For instance, the image of the crown has been used in several artworks to represent his criticism of class. It also indicates Basquiat’s rise to fame and his wealth. The messages in Basquiat’s painting are thought-provoking and radical, but his noble style and technique were unique. Basquiat’s art can be seen as a mosaic of random thoughts with the symbolism of imagery and pronounced wordings. Basquiat’s cared less about art being aesthetically pleasing but focused on the subliminal information and emotions it brought to the viewer.
The Theme of Self-Revelation
Jean Michel Basquiat embodies an artist who brings to the fore the theme of self-revelation. He is an artist who broke barriers and made a name for himself as a black art star. He is popularly known for his art that brought to the fore issues such as resistance, challenge, struggle, strength, and victory. This contemporary black star has established a new era for black artists. In his art, The Ring, he presents a red boxing ring where he draws a strong athlete in polka dots holding a spear. Some experts believe that in this ring, Jean Michel is depicting himself. This artist is known to have grown up at a time when Muhammad Ali and Joe Lewis were boxing giants. Their image must have inspired him to highlight the battles that these two boxers experienced. They were revered in the boxing ring but had to overcome racial inequality outside the society. From this art, we learn about his self-revelation – The desire to be seen as an icon who can withstand the challenges of his time and emerge as a winner.
Jean- Michel’s Crown Motifs have been recognized in popular culture for their expression of self-revelation. The crown evokes an emotional and subversive aesthetic. He defines three things in the crown; his desire to be great, his depicti...
Updated on
Get the Whole Paper!
Not exactly what you need?
Do you need a custom essay? Order right now:

πŸ‘€ Other Visitors are Viewing These MLA Term Paper Samples:

HIRE A WRITER FROM $11.95 / PAGE
ORDER WITH 15% DISCOUNT!