Jean-Michel Basquiat was a prominent American artist in the 1980s, known for his Neo-expressionist style and his early graffiti work. His art blended social commentary with abstraction, and increased in value after his death, with one piece selling for a record $110.5 million, becoming one of the most expensive paintings ever purchased. Despite his rise […]
Jean-Michel Basquiat was a prominent American artist in the 1980s, known for his Neo-expressionist style and his early graffiti work. His art blended social commentary with abstraction, and increased in value after his death, with one piece selling for a record $110.5 million, becoming one of the most expensive paintings ever purchased. Despite his rise […]
The emotional and melancholic “Funeral” by singer/songwriter Phoebe Bridgers from her album “Stranger in the Alps”, pays tribute to the tragic death of her close friend who passed away due to heroin overdose. Bridgers has never shied away from discussing mental illness nor calling out its frequent romanticization. She frequently discusses deeply personal material pertaining […]
The prolific legacy of Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson; June 1, 1926 – August 4, 1962) is often overshadowed by the mysterious circumstances that surrounded her death; an epic tale riddled with scandal, myth, and conspiracy theories. Often overlooking the woman behind those iconic blonde locks, sultry red lips, and signature voluptuous figure, our […]
From a young age, singer, actress, and activist Demi Lovato has been in the spotlight. Their challenges with mental health have subsequently been viewed as a spectacle by the media. With their newest project released in April 2021, “Dancing with the Devil…the Art of Starting Over,” Lovato changes the narrative by sharing their own story […]
Demi Lovato recently released a mini docu-series on YouTube called “Dancing with the Devil”. This four-episode documentary dives deep into Lovato’s recovery and the events leading up to her opioid overdose in July 2018. Many celebrities often keep their mental health issues private as it is often criticized and shamed by the public. Lovato makes it […]
Born of Russian and Jewish descent, American artist Mark Rothko refused to be categorized and restrained by conventional paradigms; however, one would likely associate him with abstract expressionism. Untitled (Black on Grey), was Rothko's final painting, which he described as “an artic wasteland under a vast and empty sky, deathlike.” The artist battled depression, addiction, and anti-semitism, and […]
The song “Otherside” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, chronicles Anthony Kiedis’ experiences with drug addiction and the “slide” from recovery back into addiction. In a deeply poetic style, the song depicts the pain Kiedis felt regarding the loss of his fellow band member Hillel Slovak to an overdose in 1998. The lyrics describe the […]
Jean-Michel Basquiat was an American artist of Haitian-Puerto Rican parentage whose art reflected his obsession with capturing the dualities of life and the broader social issues surrounding him. His work touched on many social injustices concerning race, wealth, privilege, and mental-health concerns, while also capturing his deep interest in spirituality and human emotion. Tragically, Basquiat’s […]
This song describes Neil Young’s grief from watching his friend and bandmate Danny Whitten fall into heroin addiction and die from an overdose. Image Credit Feature: Kaushik Narasimhan on flickr