Elaine 1985

Jean-Michel Basquiat made this portrait, *Elaine*, with paint and collage on canvas, and it feels like the picture is in the process of making itself. The drippy, dark-red skin tone of the face is interrupted by lines of white and purple. The eyes are cartoonish ovals, with a blank stare, and the teeth are like piano keys, each one distinct and separate. I love the way Basquiat throws everything at the canvas. He's not precious with the materials, and you get a real sense of urgency and energy, like the painting is a living thing. The collage elements – little fragments of paper covered in scribbles, notes, and diagrams – create this buzzing, chaotic background, and the face pushes forward. It’s raw, it’s immediate, and it's packed with emotion. Basquiat always reminds me a little of Cy Twombly, another master of the messy line, but with a completely different sensibility. Both artists show us that art isn't about perfection, but about embracing the beauty of the imperfect, and finding meaning in the chaos.