Jean-Michel Basquiat's unique style is recognizable in this artwork and the characters in the painting highlight the difference between white and black people. This painting depicts the white character who has eroded parts whereas the black character is ugly with yellow teeth pointing outwards. Unbleached Titanium by Jean-Michel Basquiat depicts two facial features, writing embroideries and vague drawings which were typical of his other works.
Similar to his other artworks, Unbleached Titanium is a mixture of expressionism, pure art, and graffiti. His mastery of art allowed him to use jagged lines and writings to produce characters that were identifiable and had deep meanings. Basquiat used all manner of materials for his paintings which characterized him as a mixed media artist, charcoal, acrylic, pastel, and pencil are among the media he used for his artwork. The theme of this painting was to address the social injustices that African Americans were subjected to mostly the stereotypical thinking of dominance and control by the white population. At the very core of this painting, Basquiat envisages the white character as pleasant looking with eroded parts, showcasing the loss of their culture though to the rule the world and are a benchmark of beauty. On the other hand, the black character is ugly, intact, and does not show its full face highlighting how the black population is oppressed and not recognized.
Jean-Michel Basquiat belonged to the Neo-Expressionist style that showcased pop culture and street poetry to the world. Through the use of street art, it made him world-renowned and it depicted this type of art that was new to the rest of the world. Basquiat drew his inspiration from his heritage and upbringing and Al Diaz greatly influenced him in the early years of his career. Among his notable artworks is Irony of Negro Policeman, Hollywood Africans, Trumpet, Skull, and Untitled Boxer only to name a few. Unbleached Titanium just like its name suggests gives the story of Basquiat’s life that despite the numerous challenges he faced as a young African American he did not change who he was and this made him grow stronger.
