Jean-Michel Basquiat: A Profound Exploration of Identity and Society in Portfolio I

Created in 1983 and reissued by Basquiat's estate in 2001, Head, Per Capita, Ernok, and Rinso represent Jean-Michel Basquiat's signature fusion of text, image, and scrawl. This iconic set of four prints draws from pivotal paintings produced during a defining period in Basquiat’s career. Through these works, he addressed complex issues of race, class, and commodification, challenging viewers to confront societal systems they often unwittingly support.

Basquiat’s Portfolio I exemplifies his innovative style and cultural critique. Influenced by his urban background and Afro-Caribbean heritage, Basquiat’s Neo-Expressionist pieces disrupted traditional fine art norms, boldly blending vivid colour with intense, layered symbolism. Curated under the direction of Basquiat’s father, Gerard Basquiat, each piece in this collection captures the artist's unique ability to reflect the nuances of contemporary society.

Ernok

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The human anatomy fascinated Basquiat from a young age, inspired by a copy of Gray’s Anatomy. Ernok features a black figure with an x-ray-like view of veins in a transparent hand, blurring the line between internal and external forms. This exploration highlights how the artist—and others marginalised by society—were compelled to see themselves from both physical and social perspectives. The subject's exposed skull and veins, depicted in frenetic red, blue, and green strokes, reflect Basquiat’s commentary on otherness and vulnerability. The disassembled letters of "Ernok" in graffiti-like style echo Basquiat’s roots in New York’s SAMO street art collective, drawing attention to the fractured experience of black identity. As bell hooks observed, Basquiat’s fragmented forms evoke the fear of racial violence, embodying a sense of incompletion and cultural dismemberment.

Untitled (Head)

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Untitled (Head) is one of Basquiat’s most iconic images, marked by bold colours against a stark black background. The skull’s exposed contours and intense gaze contrast life and mortality, compelling viewers to reflect on how society perceives the inner and outer self. This portrait embodies Basquiat’s struggles with racism, isolation, and addiction, as he exposed these personal issues to reveal broader social themes. Red lines trace veins and brain tissue, with barbed blue strokes suggesting both vitality and fear. Even as the face’s contours recall anatomical sketches, the expressive, disjointed elements reflect Basquiat’s ongoing fascination with the body's structures and his rejection of reductive identity portrayals.

Rinso

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In Rinso, Basquiat critiques advertising and its underlying racial biases. This 1982 print portrays a white-outlined figure with clenched teeth, holding a tool—possibly an industrial worker protesting oppression. The text “SLOGAN” emblazoned across the chest, paired with the copyright symbol, hints at capitalism’s intrusion into identity. Referencing a historical soap advertisement, Basquiat juxtaposes commercial language with imagery of anti-blackness, suggesting that products and propaganda alike can perpetuate racial stereotypes. The gridded layout evokes both soap bars and bricks, layering the “product” with a history of exploitation. Art critic Olivia Laing noted Basquiat’s tendency to scribble, annotate, and second-guess, capturing language's double-edged impact in Rinso’s complex visual composition.

Per Capita

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Per Capita reflects Basquiat’s layered symbolism and critique of materialism. This 1983 print, based on his painting Untitled (Per Capita), centres on a prominent crown placed above the word “ASBESTOS” in red and blue, suggesting corporate indifference to human welfare. Basquiat frequently used crowns to honour black cultural icons, asserting their dignity in a world that often failed to recognise it. In Per Capita, the crown symbolises triumph over oppression and the persistence of influence despite adversity. Surrounded by cryptic figures—a fish, unicorn, snake, and dog—alongside references to religious and historical sites, the composition reflects Basquiat’s view of materialism as a modern-day belief system. His layered visuals, combined with symbols of spirituality and myth, critique capitalism’s long reach and highlight the cyclical nature of history. Basquiat’s dynamic artistic style, much like his music collaborations, bridged the past and future, drawing from jazz, bebop, and hip-hop to create a modern narrative of resistance and innovation.

Why Invest in Basquiat

Each piece in Portfolio I captures Basquiat’s relentless examination of race, identity, and the socio-political forces shaping society. Through these works, Basquiat established himself not only as an aesthetic innovator but also as a powerful commentator on the human experience.

Speak to an Advisor

We invite you to experience these iconic pieces in person at our Maddox Street gallery. Explore Basquiat's transformative vision firsthand and witness the evocative power of Portfolio I. This collection offers an immersive journey through Basquiat’s layered messages on identity and resilience—an opportunity not to be missed.