Neo

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    Neo-Expressionism

    These artworks show how modern artists explore emotion, culture, and identity. Basquiat’s Untitled (Skull) uses bold colors and rough lines to show struggle, while Kiefer’s Sulamith uses dark textures to reflect history. Murakami’s 727 and Koons’s Balloon Dog turn pop culture and everyday objects into art, and Smith’s State Names highlights Native history. Together, they show how style and materials express feelings, ideas, and stories.
  • Basquiat, Jean-Michel. Untitled (Skull). 1981. Acrylic and oilstick on canvas, 207 × 175.9 cm. The Broad, Los Angeles.

    Basquiat, Jean-Michel. Untitled (Skull). 1981. Acrylic and oilstick on canvas, 207 × 175.9 cm. The Broad, Los Angeles.

    Basquiat’s Untitled Skull shows a bold, messy face that mixes bright colors and rough lines. The artwork feels emotional and intense, which matches the style of Neo-Expressionism. It reflects themes like identity, city life, and the struggles of being young and Black in America. The raw look makes the painting powerful and memorable.
  • Kiefer, Anselm. Sulamith. 1983. Oil, acrylic, emulsion, shellac, and straw on canvas, 290 × 370 cm. Saint Louis Art Museum, St. Louis, Missouri.

    Kiefer, Anselm. Sulamith. 1983. Oil, acrylic, emulsion, shellac, and straw on canvas, 290 × 370 cm. Saint Louis Art Museum, St. Louis, Missouri.

    Kiefer’s Sulamith uses dark colors, rough textures, and a large, empty space to reflect on Germany’s painful past. The heavy materials make the painting feel serious and emotional. This fits Neo-Expressionism, which uses strong feelings and dramatic imagery. The artwork deals with memory, trauma, and how a country faces its own history.
  • Koons, Jeff. Balloon Dog (Magenta). 1994–2000. Mirror-polished stainless steel with transparent color coating, 307 × 363 × 114 cm. The Broad, Los Angeles.

    Koons, Jeff. Balloon Dog (Magenta). 1994–2000. Mirror-polished stainless steel with transparent color coating, 307 × 363 × 114 cm. The Broad, Los Angeles.

    Koons’s Balloon Dog Magenta turns a simple balloon animal into a huge, shiny sculpture that looks playful but expensive. The reflective surface makes it feel like a fancy product, showing how art and consumer culture connect. The piece fits Neo-Pop because it uses everyday objects and transforms them into big, attention-grabbing artworks.
  • Murakami, Takashi. 727. 1996. Acrylic on canvas mounted on board (three panels), 299.7 × 449.6 cm. Museum of Modern Art, New York.

    Murakami, Takashi. 727. 1996. Acrylic on canvas mounted on board (three panels), 299.7 × 449.6 cm. Museum of Modern Art, New York.

    Murakami’s 727 mixes cartoon imagery with a bright, flat background. The character “Mr. DOB” represents how pop culture, anime, and advertising shape modern life. The clean lines and bold colors fit the Neo-Pop style. The artwork shows how Murakami blends high art and commercial art, making both feel equally important in today’s culture.
  • Smith, Jaune Quick-to-See. State Names. 2000. Oil, collage and mixed media on canvas, 121.9 × 182.9 cm. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.

    Smith, Jaune Quick-to-See. State Names. 2000. Oil, collage and mixed media on canvas, 121.9 × 182.9 cm. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.

    In State Names, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith uses maps and layered paint to show how many states have Native names. The artwork reminds viewers of Indigenous history and how it is often ignored. The mixed-media style helps the piece feel active and alive. It fits post-colonial art because it challenges who gets to control and tell the story of the land.