DR. MARTENS X JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT

JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT – The influential, Neo-Expressionist artist with an unparalleled legacy.

In our first-ever collaboration, we pay tribute to Jean-Michel Basquiat’s work and the legacy he left behind. Using our iconic silhouettes to provide new canvases for his work, we explored three of his most enigmatic pieces, Beat Bop, Dustheads and Pez Dispenser.

©Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York

The Basquiat 1461 is available to shop here.

Leaving behind an extraordinary amount of work and an unprecedented legacy, Jean-Michel Basquiat’s influence spans across art, music and multiple generations of young creatives. He exploded into the art world in the early 80s. And his impact can still be felt to this day.

©Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York

Shop the Basquiat 1460 boot.

Ahead of his time, generations of artists have been unknowingly influenced by the neo-expressionist creative. With an enduring legacy of raging against injustice and racist barriers that excluded him from predominantly white areas of the art scene, his art still resonates for many people today. His influence is unmatched.

“Skull imagery, cryptic symbols and enigmatic epigrams. Jean-Michel Basquiat was one of the most influential postmodern artists of the 20th Century.”

©Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York

Made for the next generation of artists, the Kids Basquiat 1460 is available now.

Transcending through New York’s art elite with his transition from streets and trains to art galleries, Basquiat’s genre-defying work defined an era. Speaking up on racial and socio-political issues, his sense of rebellion was fundamental to his spirit ⁠— and from Keith Haring to Andy Warhol, Basquiat’s influence spread not just throughout the industry. But to other artists too.

©Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York

Spanning art, music and culture, Basquiat challenged the norm then. And continues to defy categorisation now. Basquiat’s boundary-breaking approach to art is Dr. Martens to the core.

©Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York

Shop the limited edition DR. MARTENS X JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT collection on July 10th. Sign up to be the first to know when it launches: EU or US & INTL.

Find out more about Dr. Martens Collaborations here.

Our Dr. Martens community continues to push us forward. Not just today, not just this week, but always. At DM’s, we don’t just support Black artists because it’s the right thing to do. We do it because we know, without their support over the years, we wouldn’t be the brand we are today. For us, diversity isn’t just a buzzword, a single time of year or a one-off donation. It’s part of our DNA. Our heritage. And something we embrace every single day.

Over the past six decades, we’ve been proud to feature Black Docs wearers from all around the world in our global campaigns, music and cultural events and other marketing activations. But we know that’s not enough — it will never be enough. And we’re always looking for ways we can better support the Black community.

Over the next few months, we will continue to shine the spotlight on issues of racism and support Black artists by:

• Ensuring at least 50% of the artists in our Dr. Martens Presents series are from the Black community

• Only working with music festivals that demonstrate a clear agenda for improving diversity on their lineups

• Running a series on racism in our Talking Tough podcast to give a voice to BAME groups and help educate our community 

• Working with more Black artists than ever in this season’s DIY Docs campaign

• Continue to communicate the steps we’re taking with our community as we continue to learn and try to do better