Art In Motion
Highest 2 Lowest is a new movie I discovered on Apple TV featuring my favorite actor, Denzel Washington, directed by Spike Lee. It’s a crime thriller (with musical elements) that marks the fifth collaboration between these two Oscar winners.
What stood out most to me is how Spike has made an extra effort to venerate the athletes, artists, and thinkers who have shaped his worldview and he makes this clear in the film.
As an art lover, I immediately recognized why certain scenes were shot in front of specific works of art. What I hadn’t realized, though, is that many of the artworks shown are reproductions from Spike Lee’s own collection.
Rather than breaking down the entire movie here (though I highly recommend watching it for its important themes and messaging), I want to share some of the standout pieces featured in the film.
Jean-Michel Basquiat, Now’s the Time, 1985, acrylic and oil stick on plywood, 92 1/2 × 92 1/2". © Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris, Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Jean-Michel Basquiat, Now’s the Time (1985)
A tribute to jazz legend Charlie Parker, this work speaks to improvisation, genius, and the fleeting urgency of creative expression.
Jean-Michel Basquiat, Discography Two, 1983, acrylic and oil stick on plywood, 66 1/8 x 60 1/8 in. (168 x 152.7 cm.) © Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris, Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Jean-Michel Basquiat, Discography One (1983)
A hand-written homage to Parker’s recordings, layering words and names as visual rhythm, art that reads like music.
Kehinde Wiley, Investiture of Bishop Harold as the Duke of Franconia, 2005. Oil on canvas. Collection of Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee. © Kehinde Wiley. (Photo: Couretsy of the artist)
Kehinde Wiley, Investiture of Bishop Harold as the Duke of Franconia (2005)
A regal portrait blending European Old Master traditions with Black identity, challenging how power and nobility are represented.
Art by Shepard Fairey. Reference photo by Lawrence Jackson / Biden for President is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0; For personal, non-commercial use only.
Shepard Fairey, Kamala poster
Created for Vice President Kamala Harris, this piece merges activism with portraiture, symbolizing hope and political progress.
William H. Johnson, Street Musicians, ca. 1939-1940, recto: gouache and pen and ink on paper verso: brush and ink on paper, recto: 18 1⁄8 x 13 1⁄8 in. (45.9 x 33.3 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.165R-V
William H. Johnson, Street Musicians (1939-1940)
A vibrant depiction of everyday Black life, where music becomes a symbol of resilience, culture, and joy.
Photograph: Richard Avedon, Joe Louis, Prize Fighter, New York City, October 3, 1963. © The Richard Avedon Foundation.
Richard Avedon, Joe Louis, Prize Fighter, New York City, October 3, 1963
A stark black-and-white photograph of the legendary boxer’s clenched fist power, dignity, and the fight for respect captured in a single image.
Frederick J. Brown, Billie, Lester fats and Duke, 1993. The Spike Lee “Creative Sources” Exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum
Frederick J. Brown, Billie, Lester, Fats and Duke (1993)
A bold and soulful homage to jazz greats Billie Holiday, Lester Young, Fats Waller, and Duke Ellington. Brown’s portrait doesn’t just capture likeness it captures sound. Each figure radiates presence, evoking the improvisation, elegance, and emotional depth that defined an era of American music.
Deborah Roberts, Mixed Media Collages (2021)
Roberts layers painting, collage, and photography to explore race, gender, and identity. Her fragmented portraits of children confront stereotypes and invite us to see Black youth as whole, complex individuals.
Henry Taylor, Anthony Swan (2016)
A bold, life-size portrait of a young man seated casually with a basketball at his feet, Taylor’s work captures both the everyday and the monumental in Black life, mixing intimacy with social commentary.
Watching Highest 2 Lowest makes me wonder whether we’ve seen any truly original cultural contributions since 2004 or if platforms like TMZ, Reddit, and gossip media have drowned them out. Too often, it feels easier to be jealous, hateful, and full of critique (with no name or credit attached) than to put in the hours, learn, and create something original.
*Disclaimer: The images featured in this post were sourced online and are used here solely for educational and illustrative purposes. My goal is to highlight and bring attention to the artists and their work.