Exu - Jean-Michel Basquiat

A powerful 1988 work by Jean-Michel Basquiat, featuring a central horned figure and symbolic motifs rooted in Afro-Brazilian spiritual traditions.

Exu, created in 1988, is a characteristic example of Jean-Michel Basquiat's late work. The composition features a central, horned figure, rendered with the artist's signature raw, gestural line quality. Basquiat employs a frenetic application of paint, combining bold black outlines with aggressive splashes of yellow and red. The figure is surrounded by a multitude of eyes, a recurring motif in his oeuvre that suggests surveillance, spiritual presence, or internal anxiety.

The title refers to Exu, a deity in the Yoruba religion and Afro-Brazilian traditions such as Candomblé. Exu acts as a messenger between the human and divine realms, often associated with crossroads and communication. Basquiat's interest in his own heritage and the syncretic belief systems of the African diaspora is evident here. The inclusion of text, specifically the word 'EXU' enclosed in a box and the fragmented phrase 'TOBACCO', reflects his background in graffiti and his practice of incorporating linguistic elements into his visual compositions.

The work is executed on a light, neutral ground, which allows the darker, more chaotic elements to emerge with force. The composition is deliberately unbalanced, mirroring the energy of the urban environment from which Basquiat emerged. The presence of cigarette-like forms scattered across the lower portion of the canvas adds a mundane, gritty detail to the otherwise mythic and spiritual subject matter. This piece demonstrates his ability to synthesise personal history, cultural mythology, and the visual language of the street into a singular, cohesive image. The work remains a direct representation of his rapid, intuitive process, where the physical act of painting is as significant as the final subject.