Riding with Death is not my favorite of Basquiat's pieces. I could have drawn that when I was six. One of the first things I noticed was the fact that Death (the skeleton) has a leash around it's neck, as if it has been tamed and subjugated. I always thought the human looked "happy" though there is no obvious facial expression. Death appears baffled, as if it thought it's impact on Human would be more disheartening. Death never thought he'd be ridden on like a pony. Accompanying death, or dominating it, is preferable to fearing and evading it. Basquiat illustrates the human's ribs and arms with the same white paint as the skeleton, implying that by choosing to ride with death, Human acknowledges that death is already a part of his existence.
Comments
Cool but
Worst cliche critique EVER
Don't try to squeeze your way into my Almond Summer Critique Programme.
Get in line behind Herm.
Almond, I'm going to PM you. The book is a book of short stories because it's summer and easier.