–David Bowie
A highly talented and revolutionary artist, Basquiat brought graffiti into the galleries and became the first artist of African-American descent to make a name for himself in the white-dominated art scene. The artist originally featured his artwork on postcards to sell them on the streets of New York before he gained true legitimacy.
Basquiat’s painting career gained momentum with his close, yet turbulent, friendship with Andy Warhol. In the filmThe Andy Warhol Diariesthe context of the print on the Warhol Bag is documented. This citation pays testament to Basquiat’s impulsive behavior, his inspiring surges of creativity, and more importantly points to the innovation and dynamism which benefited Warhol during their friendship. Andy Warhol said,