All Colored Cast (Part III) - Jean-Michel Basquiat

A powerful Neo-expressionist work by Jean-Michel Basquiat, featuring dense layers of text, historical references, and raw, gestural figures on a yellow ground.

All Colored Cast (Part III) is a characteristic example of Jean-Michel Basquiat's practice, which synthesises elements of graffiti, historical reference, and raw, gestural mark-making. The composition is dominated by a vibrant yellow ground, upon which the artist layers a dense network of text, symbols, and anatomical references. A central, mask-like figure emerges from the right side of the frame, rendered in stark black with white outlines that define the facial features and skeletal structure. The figure possesses a primitive, visceral quality, typical of the artist's interest in the intersection of African diaspora history and contemporary urban life. Surrounding the figure, the canvas functions as a repository of information. Basquiat incorporates references to historical figures such as Alexander the Great and Toussaint L'Ouverture, alongside medical terminology like 'phlegm' and 'liver'. These disparate elements are connected by arrows, circles, and crossed-out words, creating a non-linear narrative that invites the viewer to decode the connections between disparate cultural and biological systems. The inclusion of boxing references, such as Jersey Joe Walcott, reflects the artist's frequent use of sports icons as symbols of struggle and triumph within the American social hierarchy. The application of paint is energetic and immediate, with oilstick lines providing a sense of urgency that mirrors the frenetic pace of New York City in the early 1980s. The work avoids traditional perspective, opting instead for a flattened, collage-like arrangement that prioritises the graphic impact of the text and symbols. By juxtaposing high-culture historical allusions with the vernacular of the street, Basquiat creates a visual language that is both personal and collective. This print captures the raw texture and chromatic intensity of the original, offering a direct engagement with the artist's complex, multi-layered approach to painting.