“Dwellers in the Marshes,” created by Jean-Michel Basquiat in 1983, is an artwork featuring a combination of mediums including acrylic, charcoal, crayon, pastel, and pencil. This piece, a part of the Neo-Expressionism and Street art movements, measures 57 x 76.5 cm and falls under the genre of genre painting. It is included in “The Daros Suite of Thirty-Two Drawings” and is presently housed in the Daros Collection in Zürich, Switzerland.
The artwork depicts striking and raw imagery characteristic of Basquiat’s style. It features abstract human figures adorned with Basquiat’s signature crown motif, a horned animal, and a seemingly generic bag labeled “ROYAL SUGAR.” Dark, expressive brushstrokes of black paint dominate portions of the composition, creating a stark contrast against the lighter background. The juxtaposition of roughly sketched forms and thick black areas creates a jarring and dynamic visual narrative typical of the artist’s work. This piece encapsulates the raw energy and intricate symbolism that Basquiat integrated into his oeuvre, offering a profound commentary through its intense and somewhat chaotic visual language.
