I discussed it as follows in 2009.
In 1981 Basquiat achieved fame in New York City. The former graffiti activist was producing large size paintings depicting African American heroes and symbols. In 1983, aged 23, he structures his message to make it more political in his desire to fight the all-white power and to denounce the consumerism. He met Warhol in the same year.
He now expresses his violence on canvas panels covered in part with paper collages and hinged together in a sort of comic strip. A great example is Brother's Sausage, composed of six parts for a total size of 122 x 476 cm.
Starting from the left is a big bad wolf disguised in Uncle Sam who claims the virtues of a brand of 'famous' sausages. The story ends on the right by the mockery of a coin, openly criticizing the so-called Liberty.
Between these two sides, three of the central panels are covered with xeroxes of typical Basquiat sketches mingled in a mess like a graffiti wall in a disadvantaged suburb. There is also a blue sky area looking like a void in a fence.
SOLD for $ 18.6M including premium