The artwork titled “Undiscovered Genius,” created by Jean-Michel Basquiat in 1983, is a distinctive piece in the Neo-Expressionism and Street Art movements, employing a medium that includes acrylic, charcoal, crayon, pastel, and pencil. This figurative artwork, with dimensions of 57 by 76.5 cm, is part of “The Daros Suite of Thirty-Two Drawings” and is located in the Daros Collection in Zürich, Switzerland.
The artwork exemplifies Basquiat’s characteristic style, merging text, symbols, and vibrant imagery to create a thought-provoking narrative. Various elements, including a ship labeled as a “Slave Ship,” the Statue of Liberty, musical notations, and an array of seemingly scattered words and phrases like “MISSISSIPPI,” “LIBERTY,” and “Griot/BLUESMAN,” lend a historical and cultural intensity to the piece. The central figure holds a string instrument, possibly symbolizing the blues tradition, prominently referenced throughout the composition. Surrounding the figure are diagrams and symbols, including farm tools and references to directions (East, West, North, South), invoking a sense of exploration and struggle. The chaotic arrangement and intense use of colors accentuate Basquiat’s exploration of African American heritage, identity, and social commentary.
