Native Carrying Some Guns, Bibles, Amorites on Safari - Jean-Michel Basquiat

A powerful 1982 work by Jean-Michel Basquiat that critiques colonial history through raw text, symbols, and stark graphic figures.

Jean-Michel Basquiat created this work in 1982, a period during which he produced some of his most direct critiques of colonial history and power structures. The composition functions as a visual essay, combining text, symbols, and figures to examine the intersection of commerce, religion, and exploitation. Basquiat employs a raw, immediate aesthetic, using oilstick to scrawl phrases across the surface that challenge the viewer to consider the mechanics of historical narratives. The work features a central figure alongside a sign for 'Royal Salt Inc.', a reference to the commodification of resources. Basquiat incorporates his signature crown motif, which often serves to elevate his subjects or comment on the nature of authority. The text, including phrases such as 'Good money in savages' and 'I won't even mention gold', acts as a biting commentary on the economic motivations behind colonial expansion. By juxtaposing these words with simplified, almost schematic drawings of figures and weaponry, the artist strips away the veneer of historical romanticism often associated with the era of exploration. Basquiat's approach to the canvas is deliberate, using the negative space of the raw background to allow the stark black lines to dominate. The inclusion of names like 'Cortez' and 'Bishop' links the imagery to specific historical figures, grounding the abstract critique in documented events. This piece demonstrates the artist's ability to synthesise complex socio-political themes into a singular, graphic image. It remains a stark example of his practice, where the act of mark-making becomes a form of historical reclamation. The work does not offer easy answers, instead presenting a fragmented, challenging view of the past that remains relevant to contemporary discussions on power and representation.