Basquiat Series #5: The Meaning

Basquiat Series #5 - The Meaning is the finale in a series of five paintings composed in collaboration with fellow Pasco artist, Fabstraq. This series of paintings is to honor the game-changing artist Jean-Michele Basquiat, depicting a progression of him throughout his lifetime as an established artist. 

In the fifth and final painting, Fabstraq frees a fish from the canvas and challenges Artist Jones to find a creative solution to finish out the series. While it took 2 years to figure out the answer, the result would be to include the number 9 – a lucky number in Feng Shui that symbolizes wealth and good fortune. This is depicted in the red pips on the dice, which are typically black. 

There are also three of the 21 fish that have skeletons. The Three Fish Rule is a fishing technique where a fisherman will change their approach if their partner goes three fish ahead. The fishing line that hangs from Basquiat's paint brush and weaves through the dice, leads to a fishing hook at the end, dangling for the big fish above his head.

The phrase "Life is confusing at this point" is a quote from Basquiat when he tagged as "Samo." It was fate that this painting would be done two years later, when so many people feel this way today. 

Finally, this is the first time that the famous Basquiat crown was painted above his head in the series. 


• 1.25″ (3.18 cm) thick poly-cotton blend canvas
• Canvas fabric weight: 10.15 +/- 0.74 oz./yd.² (344 g/m² +/- 25g/m²)
• Fade-resistant
• Hand-stretched over solid wood stretcher bars
• Mounting brackets included
• Blank product sourced from the US, Canada, Europe, UK, or Australia