Today, I went to see “Radiant Child” a Documentary directed by Tamra Davis about the her good friend legendary artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, with my friend John. Instead of giving a review of the film, I thought I’d go through specific ideas I learned about Basquait about his legend in general because honestly, it’s a story that needs to be told, and is both fascinating and a tragedy.
Prior to watching this film, I knew tid bits about the young artist. I knew he was an artist, a graffiti artist, referred to himself initially as SAMO (“Same Old Shit”), he was a black man with interesting dreadlocks, he had the presence that some confused with an ego– but I never knew ultimately who he was. He died before my life began in August, and I was born 2 months later in the same year, 1988. His life was cut short by a drug overdose, but as morbid as this sounds it makes sense.
I had a friend once tell me (same person who told me about Basquiat) that celebrities are like the brightest stars, they eventually burn out, and I think this fully solidifies the life of Basquiat. He began his career simply by following his dream, and leaving his home in Brooklyn to go to Manhattan. Realizing that he could be a bum and not have anything he still followed his dream. He started tagging all over Manhattan under the tag name Samo and eventually became this huge graffiti phenomenon. He then still continued and started painting and creating these masterpieces, and getting notoriety for being a creative genius–imagine going from being broke sleeping on couches, to getting your work sold for $5,000 to $30,000 per painting, something hard to grasp.
Basquiat became friends with one of his idols the legendary Andy Warhol, who I think due to his death, assisted in the downward spiral that happened with Basquiat, which eventually killed him. I think there were several different demons that confronted Basquiat throughout his life, first, the cost of fame. I think the level of fame that he had in such a short period of time, he wasn’t really able to grasp, not to mention his age. Second, being black. He was once quoted as saying, “I am not a black artist, I am an artist.” Watching the film, it seems like he was always confronted with the idea of being a black man. He didn’t want people to classify him by his race, but by his art. However, he did take pride in his race and culture, which was shown, in his art.
It’s a sad story, however, it comes full circle and really motivated me to follow my dreams. I feel like so many of us have all these goals and dreams for ourselves, but we allow society, other people, and the lack of: finances, and etc, to change the route of our destiny. I plan to live my life through the eyes, and sprit of Basquiat, hoping I get recognition for my talent, determination, and not so much my race.
The film is in stores for a few more days, I’m sure it will be on video, but it’s excellent, motivating, and I think gives Basquiat the voice that the media stole from him. Lastly, I’d like to leave you with a poem from Langston Hughes, which was shown in the beginning of the film, as well as the end of the film, “Genius Child.”
“This is a song for the genius child. Sing it softly for the song is wild. Sing it softly as ever you can– Lest the song get out of hand. Nobody loves a genius child. Can you love an eagle, tame or wild? Can you love an eagle, wild or tame? Can you love a monster of frightening name? Nobody loves a genius child. Kill him and let his soul run wild.”
