Jean-Michael Basquiat was a prolific street artist in the 1970s and ‘80s — and one of the first to gain international acclaim. He went on to exhibit his neo-expressionist paintings around the world, before dying of a drug overdose at 27.
A new documentary, Boom For Real: The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat, chronicles the artist’s life and work pre-fame. Directed by Sara Driver (who interviewed many of Basquiat’s close friends), the film focuses on the experiences that shaped the teenage artist into the visionary the world would come to know.
Glimpses into the New York City underground reveal the breadth of Basquiat’s talent and his influence in defining that creative culture. The documentary (BoomForRealfilm.com) captures the fearless young Black artist in his element — in all of his artistic endeavors — from spray painting graffiti to renegade fashion design to creating experiential music.
In his early years, Basquiat collaborated with street artist Al Diaz as SAMO, an informal graffiti duo known for their memorable, signature works in the cultural haven of the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Boom For Real unveils art and expression in its rawest form, through the life of one who died too soon.
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