About
About Michael Forbes
The Story Behind the Art
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York during the electric energy of the 1980s hip hop era, I developed my artistic voice against a backdrop of cultural revolution and creative explosion. Growing up in this environment, where subway cars became canvases and street corners transformed into galleries, I witnessed firsthand the raw power of art as social commentary and cultural expression.
My work spans multiple mediums—abstract art, digital art, and acrylic painting—each offering a different lens through which to explore color, form, and meaning. This multidisciplinary approach reflects the boundary-breaking spirit of the era that shaped me.
The influence of Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat runs deep through my artistic vision. Haring’s bold lines, accessible symbolism, and commitment to public art taught me that art should speak to everyone, not just the elite. Basquiat’s fearless fusion of text, imagery, and social critique showed me how to channel personal narrative and cultural commentary into visual language. Their legacy of transforming the streets of New York into living museums continues to inform how I approach my own creative practice.
My art carries the rhythm and urgency of those formative years in Brooklyn—the beat of hip hop, the vibrancy of street culture, and the unapologetic boldness of artists who refused to be confined by traditional boundaries. Through my work, I continue to explore themes of identity, urban life, and the intersection of high and low culture that defined my coming of age.
