The artwork entitled “Baby Boom” was created by the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat in 1982. The medium employed in the creation of this piece is a combination of acrylic paint and crayon applied to canvas, reflecting Basquiat’s distinctive and expressive style. This work belongs to the Neo-Expressionism and Street art movements, known for their raw and dynamic approach to artmaking. The dimensions of “Baby Boom” are sizeable, measuring 124.5 x 213.5 cm, and it falls under the genre of figurative art, featuring representation of form and figures.
In examining the artwork, we see a vibrant and energetic composition with three central figures that dominate the canvas. Each figure is depicted in a raw and primitive style, with skeletal and anatomical elements clearly visible, suggesting a theme of deconstruction or transparency. These figures are outlined with bold, black strokes, filled with striking colors such as reds, yellows, and blues, which set them apart from the neutral background.
There are additional elements and symbols scattered throughout the canvas, including inscriptions, which are a hallmark of Basquiat’s work and often suggest deeper meanings or social commentary. The figures are abstracted with exaggerated proportions and features, a characteristic of Basquiat’s approach to human form, and seem to convey a sense of movement and chaos, capturing the sense of upheaval implicit in the term “boom.”
The combination of text, symbols, and roughly drawn figures creates a vivid narrative quality, leaving viewers to interpret the possible messages and critiques being conveyed regarding culture, society, or personal identity. With its raw energy and thought-provoking imagery, “Baby Boom” is an intriguing exemplar of Basquiat’s powerful impact on the art world.
