Basquiat's use of stretcher bars as a painting surface can be seen as a form of artistic rebellion. By turning the stretcher bars into the primary surface for his artwork, he subverted the traditional hierarchy that places the canvas as the focal point of a painting. This approach aligns with Basquiat's broader practice of incorporating unconventional materials and found objects into his work, thereby questioning the boundaries of what constitutes art. The raw, unprimed wood of the stretcher bars also adds a tactile and organic quality to these pieces, emphasizing their materiality and the physical process of creation (MoMA).

One of the notable aspects of Basquiat's stretcher bar paintings is their integration of text and imagery. Basquiat often used the wooden bars as a canvas for his signature blend of words, symbols, and figures. This combination of text and visual elements creates a dynamic interplay between language and image, a hallmark of Basquiat's style. The stretcher bars' linear structure naturally lent itself to Basquiat's tendency to fragment and layer his compositions, resulting in works that are both visually and intellectually engaging (Whitney Museum).

The themes explored in Basquiat's stretcher bar paintings are consistent with those found throughout his broader body of work. Issues of race, identity, and power dynamics frequently surface, rendered in Basquiat's distinctive, expressive manner. For example, in some stretcher bar pieces, Basquiat inscribed names, dates, and references to historical and cultural figures, thereby embedding his personal and social commentary within the framework of the artwork itself. This approach allows for a multi-layered interpretation of the work, inviting viewers to engage with both the visual and textual elements (Tate).

Moreover, Basquiat's stretcher bar paintings reflect his fascination with the anatomy and structure of the human body. The physical form of the stretcher bars can be seen as analogous to the skeletal framework of the body, a recurring motif in Basquiat's work. This anatomical reference, combined with Basquiat's raw and unfiltered artistic expression, underscores the corporeal and visceral nature of his art. By painting on stretcher bars, Basquiat metaphorically stripped away the outer layers of his work, exposing the foundational elements and inviting viewers to consider the underlying structure of both his art and the subjects he depicted (Guggenheim).