“Philistines,” created by Jean-Michel Basquiat in 1982, stands as a significant work within the Neo-Expressionism and Street Art movements. This figurative artwork was composed using acrylic and crayon on canvas and measures 183 x 312.5 cm. The artwork captures a thematic reflection of Basquiat’s characteristic style.
The artwork showcases a vibrant and chaotic assemblage of forms and colors, deeply embedded with symbolic and textual elements. The composition is dominated by disjointed figures, rendered in an expressive and raw manner, indicative of Basquiat’s critique of social and historical issues. Bold, broad strokes of red, black, and white intermingle with bursts of blue and yellow, creating a dynamic visual rhythm. The faces of the figures are skeletal and mask-like, evocative of both African and tribal art influences. The use of crayon introduces an element of immediacy and rawness, while the layered canvas adds depth to the overall composition. The textural interplay and the apparent spontaneity of the lines convey a sense of urgency and intensity, embodying the essence of Basquiat’s oeuvre.
