Students Learn the Life of an Artist Through His Art

Getting to Know Jean-Michel Basquiat

Second grade students at Fox Hollow Elementary School in Lehi recently became acquainted with the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat through his story and his art. The students learned about the American artist who was very successful during the 1980s as part of the neo-expressionism movement. Basquiat passed away in 1988. 

"Radiant Child" by Javaka Steptoe

According to teacher Dayna Koch, the students were introduced to Basquiat through the children’s book about him titled, “Radiant Child,” written by Javaka Steptoe. “They had a good connection to him and enjoyed his art. They felt sad about his childhood, but were happy to know that his art brought him comfort,” Koch said. 

In the book, readers learn that Basquiat endured some hardships as a child, including being injure"d in a car accident and missing his mother when she had to leave their family home to reside in a psychiatric hospital. His art helped him to get through these difficult times. He always aspired to have his art in a museum one day.  

As a teenager and young adult, he would often paint throughout the night. People described him as “radiant, wild, a genius child,” according to the book. 

“I think the students formed a connection with him because not only did they enjoy his child-like paintings that showed emotion, they connected to the fact that he was sad at times and would find comfort in painting his feelings,” Koch said. 

Exploring the BYU Museum of Art

The students had the opportunity to take a field trip to Brigham Young University’s Museum of Art, where they took a tour. “The stations they created for our big groups were well thought out and planned. A number of students mentioned that this was the very first time they had been to an art museum and they had a wonderful experience,” Koch said. At the museum, the students were able to see an actual artwork by Basquiat, amongst other works by various artists.

Creating Self-Portraits

Then, students in some classes were shown many pieces of Basquiat’s art and were asked to create exaggerated self-portraits in his similar style. “They used bright colors, exaggerated features, and some included words on their self-portrait that had importance to them,” Koch said. 

According to Basquiat’s estate’s website, www.basquiat.com, “Basquiat’s life and work continues to inspire discussion, influence generations of artists and art in all its forms and make history all around the world.” That statement was proven true with the experiences of the young artists from Fox Hollow Elementary School. Basquiat’s art inspired discussion, thinking, sympathy, empathy, imagination and creativity. 

Laura Giles is a lover of all things art, a first-grade teacher in Alpine School District, a writer for The Daily Herald newspaper, an Arts Leadership Academy graduate and has earned the Arts Integration Endorsement from Brigham Young University. She can be reached at LauraCGiles@gmail.com.