“Basquiat” – Paolo Parisi

Posted on by The Wandering Art Historian

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Art begets art?”

That’s the first thing I think of when I think about this book.  It is one thing to write a biography of a famous person, even if it is someone you admire enough to call a “hero.”  It is another thing entirely to create a piece of art dedicated to said person, but that is exactly what graphic novelist, Paolo Parisi, did.

What I loved about this book was Parisi’s use of color and how he paid homage to Basquiat’s preferred color pallette.  It is a quick read that provides a general introduction to the brief life of Basquiat.  That, however, does not minimize the story’s profound message.  Parisi really wants the reader to think about the role of power and the role of money in the creation of art.  This idea may have found its roots in the NYC art world of the 1980’s, but it has grown into a raging beast in the 21st century.  Thankfully, the book doesn’t use this discussion to detract from Basquiat’s indelible mark on the art world nor does it minimize his game-changing creative contributions.

For more information on this graphic novel, please visit…

Basquiat, the Comic Book: See the Rise of Art Star Jean-Michel Basquiat in a New Graphic Novel

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I am writer and artist with a degree in art history who loves to talk to people about art. I have spent the last seven years building up The Wandering Art Historian “brand” as a way to connect with people who want to learn more about art. I give lectures and presentations and teach classes and host book club discussions with a creative or artistic connection. I also write about local artists, events, museums, and exhibitions to promote the arts in Central Florida. In 2021, I had a creative crisis. I struggled with authenticity in the art making process. I decided to make myself vulnerable and find out what a real, genuine Adrienne H. Lee artwork would look like. The process was challenging and emotional and revelatory. I learned that if necessity is the mother of invention, then authenticity is the mother of reinvention. I reinvented myself and learned an entirely new medium. The resulting artwork surprised me, and it will surprise you, too. Some people wish for a fairytale ending. For me, the fairy tale is only the beginning.