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Basquiat, Part I Trivia Quiz

Basquiat was by far one of the most important artists of the 20th century. Here are some questions you may or may not be able to answer.

A multiple-choice quiz by parkst. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
parkst

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
265,997

Updated
Oct 11 24

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
10 / 15

Plays
492

Last 3 plays: Guest 99 (0/15), Guest 139 (11/15), Guest 69 (8/15).

Question 1 of 15

1. What nationality is Basquiat's father? Hint

Puerto Rican

Haitian

African-American

Cuban

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Question 2 of 15

2. How did the artist die? Hint

AIDS

Murder

Suicide

Drug overdose

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Question 3 of 15

3. Before being featured in galleries, how was Basquiat recognized in the New York art world? Hint

Graffiti artist

Street-gutter artist

Graphic artist

Bowery artist

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Question 4 of 15

4. Of the following descriptions, which is not commonly used in the art world to describe the style of Basquiat's paintings? Hint

Primitive

Ethnic

Child-like

Analytical

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Question 5 of 15

5. Which writer, who stated that he could make Basquiat famous, had an article in a 1981 issue of "Artforum" discussing the artist? Hint

Phoebe Hoban

Greg Tate

Rene Ricard

Julian Schnabel

6. This 1981 Basquiat painting depicts a monstrous male figure, in police uniform, with a black skull like head, and the letters P A W forming near the bottom of the canvas. What work is this? Hint

"Irony of Negro Policeman"

"Black Male...Law"

"Untitiled 1981"

"Tragedy of Black Policemen"

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Question 7 of 15

7. Basquiat has been quoted saying his work deals with "royalty, heroism, and the streets". To exemplify this concept, he often adorned figures in his works with what object? Hint

Saxophones

Serpents

Crowns

Blood

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Question 8 of 15

8. In a biography of the artist, "A Quick Killing in Art", Basquiat is compared to a destructive musician, whom the artist admired and painted in some of his works, including "Worthy Constituent". Who was this musician?

Hint

KRS-One

Joseph Hicks

Charlie Parker

Jimi Hendrix

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Question 9 of 15

9. What 60s artist's career was revitalized after he worked with Basquiat in the 80s? Hint

Arshile Gorky

Jacob Lawrence

William Burroughs

Andy Warhol

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Question 10 of 15

10. What is the name of the art movement that Basquiat's work is generally classified as? Hint

Neo-Expressionism

Pop Art

Fauvism

Street Art Explosion

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Question 11 of 15

11. What New York gallery did Basquiat work out of at the height of his career? This gallery also featured Warhol, and other big time 80s artists, in addition to Basquiat's famous 1984 solo show. Hint

Mary Boone Gallery

1305 Gallery

Annina Nosei Gallery

Bruno Bischofberger Gallery

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Question 12 of 15

12. In the loosely biographical film, "Basquiat", Basquiat, played by Jeffrey Wright, is seen in several scenes giving away these to his friends, associates, and other artists. It is noted that he actually did this, which caused him some conflict. What is he shown freely giving away throughout the film? Hint

money

locks of his hair

drugs

works of art

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Question 13 of 15

13. Basquiat's art is often confounding, with multiple depictions and various meanings. Some critics have a hard time analyzing his work, but one aspect found in many of his paintings makes the process of analysis a bit easier. What is included in many of his paintings? Hint

hieroglyphics

numbers

street signs

words

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Question 14 of 15

14. This 1988 painting depicts a lonesome and morbid black figure riding the back of a skeletal beast. It was created in the same year as the artist's death. What is the painting's name? Hint

"Riding with Death"

"Riding Along. Near Death"

"Death on the Back"

"Death on My Mind"

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Question 15 of 15

15. What's the name of the film Basquiat starred in during the 80s, documenting the art and music scene of New York City during that time? Hint

"Basquiat"

"Downtown 81"

"Down the Bowery "

"Hip-Hop/Rock...Life of the 80s"

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Nov 05 2024 : Guest 99: 0/15
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What nationality is Basquiat's father?

Answer: Haitian

Although Basquiat's background consists of Puerto Rican and Haitian descent, he recognized himself as a Black man in the American landscape, and his paintings reflect that plight.

2. How did the artist die?

Answer: Drug overdose

The artist dealt with drugs during his entire career, and eventually fell victim to heroin in 1988.

3. Before being featured in galleries, how was Basquiat recognized in the New York art world?

Answer: Graffiti artist

Basquiat's SAMO identity was created to get himself and his partner Al Diaz known in the NY streets as artists, including sayings and quotes rather than general graffiti tags. As his career developed, he desired to focus on his paintings rather than his SAMO history.

4. Of the following descriptions, which is not commonly used in the art world to describe the style of Basquiat's paintings?

Answer: Analytical

Because of Basquiat's untaught style, many critics have labeled his work as tribal, primitive, child-like, or ethnic, rather than appreciating the works for their concepts and approaches. These appreciations are sometimes noted, but mostly overlooked.

5. Which writer, who stated that he could make Basquiat famous, had an article in a 1981 issue of "Artforum" discussing the artist?

Answer: Rene Ricard

Rene Ricard's article "Radiant Child" discusses both Basquiat and Keith Haring, another famous graffiti artist during the early 80s. Haring was the person Ricard refers to as the "Radiant Child" in the article, not Basquiat.

6. This 1981 Basquiat painting depicts a monstrous male figure, in police uniform, with a black skull like head, and the letters P A W forming near the bottom of the canvas. What work is this?

Answer: "Irony of Negro Policeman"

Most of Basquiat's works examine some aspect of Black life, especially Black male identity. This work seems to either comment on the negative relationship that existed (and still exists) between the Black community and law enforcement, or the ironic positions black male law enforcers are placed in comparison to the black community they are often placed against.

7. Basquiat has been quoted saying his work deals with "royalty, heroism, and the streets". To exemplify this concept, he often adorned figures in his works with what object?

Answer: Crowns

Basquiat told Henry Geldzahler that his art is about three things; "Royalty, heroism, and the streets". This sentiment is constantly recalled by the presence of crowns that seem to occupy many of the Basquiat's paintings. Although serpents, blood, and halos play a large part of Basquiat's work, they don't exemplify this, his works' concept, like the crown does.

Answer: Charlie Parker

In the biography "A Quick Killing in Art" by Phoebe Hoban, Hoban compared the dramatic, intense, and tragic careers of Basquiat and Parker, finding incredible comparisons including their taste in women, their drug addictions, and the quick and famous careers they endured.

9. What 60s artist's career was revitalized after he worked with Basquiat in the 80s?

Answer: Andy Warhol

Warhol and Basquiat's relationship became a personal friendship, and after Warhol's death, it has been noted that Basquiat's drug problem increased severely, culminating in his fatal overdose.

10. What is the name of the art movement that Basquiat's work is generally classified as?

Answer: Neo-Expressionism

Basquiat, and other artists including as Francesco Clemente and Julian Schnabel, were identified as Neo-Expressionist, as their art focused around expression of identifiable forms and bold colors.

11. What New York gallery did Basquiat work out of at the height of his career? This gallery also featured Warhol, and other big time 80s artists, in addition to Basquiat's famous 1984 solo show.

Answer: Mary Boone Gallery

The artist started out in the Annina Nosei gallery, but as his fame, and demand for his work, increased, he left Nosei for the Mary Boone Gallery. It is noted that Nosei and Basquiat had a destructive relationship full of financial drama.

Answer: works of art

In the movie "Basquiat", Basquiat is shown giving away his art to many people, from fellow artists and their relatives, to his friends. One particular scene shows Basquiat giving away a painting to gallery owner Bruno Bischofberger (played by Dennis Hopper) that he originally gave to art critic Rene Richard (played by Michael Wincott), which ended their friendship in the film.

Answer: words

Most of Basquiat's paintings are full of text, sometimes in different languages, sometimes repeated. Basquiat's way with words plays an important part in the dynamic of his paintings, and the viewers' understanding of the work's message.

14. This 1988 painting depicts a lonesome and morbid black figure riding the back of a skeletal beast. It was created in the same year as the artist's death. What is the painting's name?

Answer: "Riding with Death"

One of Basquiat's last pieces, this morbid painting might depict the state of mind that Basquiat was in during his later days. It is noted that after the death of Andy Warhol, Basquiat was never the same, as he had not spoken to Warhol in some time prior to his death, and resented their falling out.

15. What's the name of the film Basquiat starred in during the 80s, documenting the art and music scene of New York City during that time?

Answer: "Downtown 81"

"Downtown 81" features the artist doing what he did best early in his career -- tagging. The film is not limited to him, however: other artists, musicians, and important people are featured in the film.

Source: Author parkst

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor CellarDoor before going online.
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