Jack Armstrong: The Last Wizard of Art

Jack Armstrong: The Last Wizard of Art

A Life Among Legends

Jack Armstrong arrived in New York City in 1979 and quickly found himself surrounded by some of the most influential figures in art, fashion, and music. His first encounter with Andy Warhol took place at an event where Warhol was speaking with Ralph Lauren, Estée Lauder, and Oscar de la Renta. That same evening, Warhol invited Armstrong to Studio 54, where he introduced him to icons such as Jackie Onassis, Michael Jackson, and Liza Minnelli.

At the time, Armstrong was selling his artwork directly from the back of his car to the celebrities he met. His artistic influence extended beyond sales he taught both Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury how to paint abstract works, and each purchased pieces from him.

In 1980, Armstrong developed a close friendship with Jean-Michel Basquiat, who had been sleeping on his couch for weeks. Wanting to help Basquiat gain recognition and financial stability, Armstrong introduced him to Warhol at the Odeon Restaurant. This pivotal meeting helped launch Basquiat into the mainstream art world, leading to his rapid rise before his tragic passing at the age of 27.

Defying the Traditional Art Market

In 1982, art dealer Bruno Bischofberger formally introduced Basquiat and Warhol as part of his representation of both artists in Europe. Later, Warhol introduced Armstrong to Leo Castelli, one of the most influential art dealers in New York. In 1984, Armstrong was offered a solo exhibition at Castelli Gallery an opportunity no artist had ever turned down. However, Armstrong made the unprecedented decision to reject it, stating:

“I have a different plan than to just create art for someone else’s profit. I want to freely imagine and create what has never been done before, without the influence of dealers and auction houses.”

Years later, his decision was validated. Armstrong’s unique artistic movement, Cosmic Extensionalism or Cosmic ‘X’ gained recognition among ultra-high-net-worth collectors, including Jacob Rothschild, Alice Walton, Jack Ma, and Narendra Patel. His influence extended beyond traditional canvases, leading him to create some of the world’s most valuable luxury items, including boots, a handbag, a bicycle, and a motorcycle.

The Legacy of Cosmic ‘X’

In 2018, Armstrong’s work was displayed in a two-year digital art retrospective on a massive Times Square screen, viewed by millions. He recalled Basquiat’s words: “Jack, someday we will be up there with our work.” That prophecy had come true.

One of Armstrong’s most radical artistic statements was his decision to retrieve all his previously sold paintings, destroy them in a bonfire, and create an entirely new form of universal cosmic art filled with energy and meaning. This act, inspired by a conversation with Warhol in the early 1980s, reflected his ambition to redefine contemporary art much like Picasso did with Cubism and Warhol with Pop Art.

In 1999, after moving to Los Angeles, Armstrong created his first Cosmic ‘X’ painting and officially named his style Cosmic Extensionalism. His philosophy asserts that the artist must become one with the art, eliminating any sense of separation. He believes that the true creator is universal energy itself, and that art is a manifestation of this energy rather than simply the work of an individual. Each of his paintings contains his hair, fingerprints, and DNA making them a literal extension of himself.

In 2026, Armstrong’s Cosmic ‘X’ Bugatti will debut in Saudi Arabia as a $200 million art car, further pushing the boundaries of what art can be. As he explains:

“In Cosmic ‘X’, there are no limitations to what can be created or imagined. I create with universal energy that transcends art and becomes a form of its own universal magic. This is the only reason I exist.”

A Vision That Transcends Art

Jack Armstrong’s career has been defined by his refusal to conform to traditional artistic and commercial expectations. His dedication to artistic freedom, his revolutionary approach to art, and his ability to bridge luxury and creativity have cemented his status as a visionary.

Warhol once called him “the last wizard of art,” a title that continues to resonate as Armstrong challenges the boundaries of contemporary art, transforming it into something limitless, cosmic, and timeless.