The artwork titled “The Guilt of Gold Teeth,” created by Jean-Michel Basquiat in 1982, is a significant piece within the Neo-Expressionism and Street Art movements. Completed with acrylic and crayon on canvas, it measures 240 by 240.5 centimeters. This figurative artwork, currently held in a private collection, exemplifies Basquiat’s distinctive and provocative style.
In the artwork, a stark, skeletal figure adorned with a tall black top hat is central to the composition. The figure’s haunting visage, accentuated with visible teeth, appears both menacing and somber. Surrounding this figure is a complex tapestry of abstract forms, textual fragments, and symbols. The canvas is dominated by vibrant hues of orange, red, blue, and black, which overlap and intermingle to create a sense of chaotic energy and dynamic tension. Various cryptic scribbles and words, such as “PESO NETO” and other phrases, are scattered across the composition, showcasing Basquiat’s signature approach to integrating text and imagery. This assemblage of elements conjures themes of identity, cultural commentary, and the raw emotions tied to societal constructs.
