Basquiat was confronting. On the other hand, art critics often focused in on his race, ignoring all the other elements and influences of his work; Basquiat said of this “I’m not a black artist, I am an artist”. Basquiat’s cultural impact is still felt now, possibly more than ever, with movements such as Black Lives Matter still fighting against racial injustice in the US. Although Basquiat had an unfortunate demise, dying of a heroin overdose at the age of 27, the young prodigy is an icon for minority artists worldwide. The exhibition will be an opportunity to see work which is so rarely seen in person, continuing to inspire people for many decades to come. -Alexandra Gibbs
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