The Slave Auction- Jean Michel Basquiat

By proflegrand78 | Updated: June 20, 2024, 2:49 p.m.

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2019
Slave Auction
Jean Michel Basquiat 1982

Jean-Michel Basquiat was an American artist of Haitian and Puerto Rican descent.

He used his art for self-introspection, to communicate his experiences as a black man of his time, to criticize racism, power structure, colonialism and also served as support for class struggle.

He died of a heroin overdose at his art studio, aged 27.
Let's focus on the painting called

The Slave Auction.         
The title in itself is a  clear reference to how slaves used to be sold during slavery, changing hands whenever it pleased their masters

to be sold or let, male or female... Slaves' age and abilities were also  defined...

In anycase such matters were never happy events for slaves who had no saying in the matter

In Basquiat's painting, the auctioneer is represented with empty eyes and huge hands. He looks like a scarecrow, dressed as a Jazz man from New Orleans. The Background is blue, reminder of the Blues music genre.

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In  the middle of the picture, there is a boat, reminder of how African were brought to America to their new slave lives.

It is painted in gold as slavery was a very lucrative business, not only for the traders but also for the slaves owners.

Other artists also showed the harsh reality of those boat trips. Often the slaves-to-be didn't survive.

The smiling faces are the ones of the slavers, rejoicing as the auctions are going on, while the Black people are depicted toothless, amazed and worried
The skull with the halo reminds the thorn crown of Jesus Christ, setting all the Black people at the same level as the christian martyr, hoping for a change or a better life to come...

as this sportman might hint to: the situation for Black American is still ver difficult and sport may be a way out of poverty, an open door to University, a better situation.

But white supremacy and racism are still blowing in the wind...

The Slave Auction- Jean Michel Basquiat

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