Jean-Michel is shown here in his basement studio at the Annina Nosei Gallery in SoHo in November 1981 while he was working on "Bird on Money" in the background. This abstract painting, done in Jean-Michel’s Neo-Expressionist style, pays tribute to jazz musician Charlie Parker whom he greatly admired. The title of the painting is an homage to Parker who went by the nickname “Bird” for much of his career. The words 'Para Morir' which translates as 'To Die' are present, along with the words ‘Green Wood’, which is the name of the cemetery in Brooklyn that became Jean-Michel’s final resting place. In 2020, New York rock band the Strokes featured the painting “Bird on Money” as cover art for their album The New Abnormal. Photo: Seth Tillett Art: “Bird on Money” by Jean-Michel Basquiat