Jean-Michel Basquiat quotes

Jean-Michel Basquiat was an influential American artist famous for his raw, expressive works that merged graffiti, painting, and social commentary. His art explored themes of identity, race, and contemporary culture in vibrant and striking ways. He became a pioneering figure in the New York art scene and left a lasting legacy in modern art. Here are 25 of his quotes:

I don't listen to what art critics say. I don't know anybody who needs a critic to find out what art is.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

I am not a black artist, I am an artist.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Fire will attract more attention than any other cry for help.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

I wanted to be a star, not a gallery mascot.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Most Young Kings Get Their Heads Cut Off.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

I like kids' work more than work by real artists any day.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

The black person is the protagonist in most of my paintings. I realized that I didn't see many paintings with black people in them.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Like an ape? A primate?...You said it, you said it.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

The more I paint the more I like everything.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Believe it or not, I can actually draw.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Since I was seventeen I thought I might be a star. I'd think about all my heroes, Charlie Parker, Jimi Hendrix... I had a romantic feeling about how these people became famous.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

There are about 30 words around you all the time, like 'thread' or 'exit.'

Jean-Michel Basquiat

The country makes me more paranoid, you know? I think the crazy people out there are little crazier.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

I wanted to build up a name for myself.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Occasionally, when I get mad at a woman, I'll do some great, awful painting about her.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

I had some money, I made the best paintings ever. I was completely reclusive, worked a lot, took a lot of drugs. I was awful to people.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

I start a picture and I finish it.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

I have a painting where somebody's holding a chicken, and underneath the chicken is somebody's head.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

1. sports 2. opera 3. weapons.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

I wanted to be a cartoonist when I was young.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

My favorite Twombly is 'Apollo and the Artist,' with the big 'Apollo' written across it.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

If I'm away from painting for a week, I get bored.

Jean-Michel Basquiat