'Pez Dispenser' by Jean-Michel Basquiat, 2021
Limited Edition figure collab. with Be@rbrick Series 44 x Medicom Toy.
Officially licensed by the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
2.8 Inches tall
7.12 Centimeters tall
2.75 x 1.5 x 1.5 Inches (box)
Collectible painted vinyl figure based on Basquiat's legendary artwork from 1984.
Limited Edition (Sold Out).
Basquiat's iconic 'Crown' and unique signature printed on figure back.
Comes in (prev. opened) original box with collectible card.
Medicom Toy tamper-proof hologram decal on box bottom.
ABOUT THE ART
Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Pez Dispenser transforms a familiar piece of pop culture into a sharp reflection on identity, fame, and the commodification of Black bodies in contemporary society. The work features a dinosaur—rendered in Basquiat’s raw, emblematic linework—wearing a bright crown, one of the artist’s most iconic motifs. By placing the crown on a cartoonlike creature, Basquiat blends the worlds of childhood nostalgia and high art with his characteristic irony. The title itself references the classic Pez candy dispensers, whose playful, collectible heads conceal the mechanical function beneath. In doing so, Basquiat draws a parallel between novelty objects and the ways in which culture consumes, packages, and sells both ideas and people.
The crowned dinosaur can be read as both self-portrait and cultural symbol. Basquiat frequently used animal figures to explore themes of power, vulnerability, and evolution, and the dinosaur here becomes a stand-in for the artist navigating the art world’s appetite for spectacle. The crown—traditionally used by Basquiat to honor heroes, saints, and Black cultural icons—satirically elevates the dinosaur to a position of royalty, suggesting the absurd expectations placed on artists once they are thrust into the spotlight. At the same time, it affirms Basquiat’s belief in reclaiming authority and visibility, particularly for marginalized voices historically excluded from institutional recognition.
Ultimately, 'Pez Dispenser' encapsulates Basquiat’s ability to fuse street sensibilities with profound cultural critique. What first appears as a playful, almost childlike image quickly reveals layers of commentary about fame, commodification, and the tension between authenticity and consumer culture. Through this deceptively simple composition, Basquiat crafts a powerful meditation on how society assigns value—whether to an artist, a symbol, or a mass-produced toy—and how those values often mask deeper truths beneath the surface.