“The Price of Gasoline in the Third World,” crafted by Jean-Michel Basquiat in 1982, is an acrylic and crayon masterpiece on canvas and paper. Representing the Neo-Expressionism and Street Art movements, this figurative artwork spans 152.5 x 305 cm and resides in a private collection.
The artwork exemplifies Basquiat’s distinctive style, combining dynamic figures, bold text, and abstract elements. It features a complex composition filled with various symbolic characters and text written in English and Spanish, including phrases like “MUJER” and “CLITORIS.” The imagery appears spontaneous and raw, with vibrant colors—prominently reds, blacks, and blues—juxtaposed with graphic, almost childlike drawings. Central to Basquiat’s work is the interplay of visual intensity and thematic depth, often confronting social issues which, in this case, presumably address economic disparities and the effects of gasoline prices in the developing world.
