Jean-Michel Basquiat, Wolf Sausage, 1982-2019

Jean-Michel Basquiat's Wolf Sausage is a vivid example of his ability to blend raw, graffiti-inspired aesthetics with profound social commentary. The work features a chaotic composition filled with fragmented text, symbols, and imagery that reflect Basquiat's critique of consumerism, identity, and power structures.

The work embodies a provocative juxtaposition whereby Basquiat depicts a wolf as a symbol of aggression and survival, critiquing society's predatory aspects. The sausage, a processed and commodified food item, represents the dehumanisation and exploitation inherent in consumer culture. Basquiat's use of text in Wolf Sausage—a hallmark of his style—adds layers of meaning. Words and phrases scattered across the composition, some legible, others obscured, challenge viewers to piece together their significance. This fragmented narrative mirrors marginalised communities' fragmented identities and histories, a recurring theme in Basquiat's work.

The artwork's fierce energy and raw execution convey a sense of urgency and chaos, reflecting Basquiat's commentary on the turbulent socio-political landscape of the 1980s. Wolf Sausage stands as a powerful testament to Basquiat's ability to fuse personal and political narratives, creating visually arresting and intellectually provocative art.

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Jean-Michel Basquiat USA, 1960-1988

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Jean-Michel Basquiat USA, 1960-1988