This triptych is formed by three skate decks made of 7 ply grade A Canadian maple.
© Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York
"Horn Players" (1983) is one of Jean-Michel Basquiat's most famous works, and a great example of his unique style, which blends graffiti, pop art, and expressionist painting. In this piece, Basquiat depicts two jazz musicians, probably inspired by legends like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. The figures are stylized with exaggerated features, something typical of his work.
The painting is dominated by vibrant colors like yellow, red, and blue, with a background full of marks and strokes that give the sense of movement, as if you were hearing the music the characters are playing. Basquiat also incorporates text, such as the words “SAX” and “BIRD” (referring to Charlie "Bird" Parker), which not only provide more information about the characters but also add an extra layer of meaning, creating a connection between the music, the words, and the image.
The piece can be interpreted as a tribute to African American culture and its impact on music, especially jazz, which was born in that community. But it also reflects deeper themes of identity, as the musicians are not just represented physically but also symbolically, through the music and the words surrounding them. Basquiat, who often explored themes of race, power, violence, and inequality, uses this work to highlight how jazz serves as a form of expression and resistance for Black culture.
In 1983, when Basquiat created "Horn Players", he was already at the peak of his career. He had gained significant recognition in New York, and his work was widely acknowledged in the contemporary art world. This painting is part of a series where he pays homage to musicians and the history of jazz, a recurring theme in his work.
Additionally, there’s an interesting connection between Basquiat’s art and the world of skateboarding. Skateboarding, much like Basquiat’s art, is defined by its rebellious spirit, its focus on urban culture, and its drive for self-expression. Basquiat's graffiti-style brushstrokes, with their raw energy, evoke the same defiant attitude seen in skateboarding culture, where skaters, much like artists, break free from established norms and create something unique. The influence of graffiti, which is central to skateboarding’s aesthetic, is also present in Basquiat’s works, forming a natural link between these two worlds of rebellion and creativity.
"Horn Players" is a representative piece of Basquiat because it captures his vibrant style, his love for cultural references, and his ability to blend visual art with music. Moreover, it’s a work that celebrates Black culture, rebellion, and creative energy—values that also strongly resonate in the world of skateboarding. All of this showcases Basquiat’s mastery in merging different forms of artistic expression, connecting music, urban art, and the culture of resistance in a powerful work.
