This triptych is formed by three skate decks made of 7 ply grade A Canadian maple.
© Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York
This skateboard set reproduces Charles The First (1982), a key work by Jean-Michel Basquiat that pays tribute to Charlie Parker, the influential jazz saxophonist known as "Bird." Basquiat captures the frantic energy and complexity of Parker through his signature style, blending elements of Black culture, music, and the figure of the artist in a raw and powerful representation.
The original painting, executed with acrylics, oils, and pastels, presents a stylized figure that recalls both a portrait and a symbol. The face is fragmented, filled with quick strokes and vibrant colors, while the outline and details evoke both divinity and struggle. Basquiat uses his unique visual language to convey the chaos and beauty of Parker’s life, a metaphor for creativity as a form of resistance and expression.
Transposed onto the skateboard format, Charles The First becomes a dynamic work of art that not only celebrates the life of a musical icon but also merges contemporary art with urban culture. This piece transcends simple reproduction, inviting a connection between visual art and movement in the streets, with the same vigor and attitude Basquiat infused into his work.
