Take a closer look at the signs, symbols, and doodles of Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose paintings retain the same freshness and relevance today as they did in 1980s New York. This monograph in English XXL It brings together exquisite reproductions of his most notable works, accompanied by texts by editor Hans Werner Holzwarth and curator and art historian Eleanor Nairne. The definitive portrait of an artist whose legend lives on, an emblem of 1980s New York.
Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960–1988) first burst onto the New York art scene under the alias SAMO, spraying sarcastic commentary and fragmented poems on the city's walls. As that underground scene—marked by urban art, hip-hop, and post-punk—moved toward more established circles, Basquiat made the leap to galleries.
By turning to painting on canvas, rather than scribbling on walls, Basquiat discovered a powerfully expressive language, where text and image, historical references, and contemporary critiques intertwine with astonishing ease. His paintings read like diaries, because the themes concerned him deeply. Often political, they reflect his experiences as a Black artist in a highly status-conscious scene. Inspired by jazz stars, great boxers, and basketball players, he responded when asked about his themes: "Kings, heroism, and the street."
The success was dazzling: by 1981 he was already in the main galleries of New York and, soon after, his name was known throughout the world. In 1983 he began collaborating with Andy Warhol and in 1985 he appeared on the cover of The New York Times MagazineThat intensity came at a cost: Basquiat died of an overdose at just 27. He left behind a body of work that hasn't lost its freshness, spontaneity, and power to this day.
Following numerous exhibition catalogues and memoirs, this large-format monograph allows a study of his works with magnificent detailed reproductions. The extensive catalogue of images is complemented by an introduction by editor Hans Werner Holzwarth and an essay by curator Eleanor Nairne on his themes and artistic development.
