By Shaienne Knox
Irony of the Negro Policeman
Original Title: Irony of the Negro
Date: 1981
Style: Neo-Expressionism
Genre: figurative
Media: acrylic, crayon, canvas
Location: Private Collection
Dimensions: 183 x 122 cm
“The Irony of a Negro Policeman” symbolizes the totalitarian black mass and the hypocrisy of black citizens holding authority within society. According to the documentary, Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child, Basquiat painted another image titled La Hara, which is similar to the one shown. It was in relation to his friend and fellow artists Michael Stewart, who was murdered by police. The film gathered that Basquiat was extremely affected by his death because he saw how society viewed those like him for the first time. This Painting shows how black artists are faced with confronting society when it is anti-black.
Curatorial Practicum 
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