Gringo Pilot (Anola Gay) - Jean-Michel Basquiat
Archival giclée
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Description
A 1983 Neo-Expressionist work by Jean-Michel Basquiat, featuring raw, gestural marks and political references to the history of the Enola Gay.
Jean-Michel Basquiat produced Gringo Pilot (Anola Gay) in 1983, a period during which his work frequently engaged with historical and political themes through a raw, gestural aesthetic. The composition functions as a visual archive of fragmented information, combining text, symbols, and figurative elements that reflect the artist's interest in power structures and cultural memory.
The work features a central, roughly rendered face alongside repeated references to Paul Tibbets, the pilot of the Enola Gay, the aircraft responsible for the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. By misspelling the plane's name as Anola Gay, Basquiat introduces a layer of linguistic subversion, forcing the viewer to confront the weight of historical events through a distorted, personal lens. The inclusion of crowns, copyright symbols, and boxing-related text creates a dense field of signs that resist a singular, linear interpretation.
Basquiat employs a palette dominated by stark black lines against a neutral ground, punctuated by areas of red that suggest urgency or violence. The application of oilstick provides a tactile, immediate quality, reminiscent of the street-level graffiti that informed his early practice. The composition is deliberately non-hierarchical, with various elements competing for attention across the surface. This approach mirrors the chaotic nature of information consumption, where historical trauma, pop culture, and personal observation exist in a state of constant, unresolved tension. The work remains a direct example of Basquiat's ability to synthesise disparate sources into a cohesive, albeit challenging, visual statement.
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Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
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Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
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- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
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Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Gringo Pilot (Anola Gay) - Jean-Michel Basquiat
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