Jean-Michel Basquiat. 40th Anniversary Edition

The legacy of Jean-Michel Basquiat continues to captivate, epitomizing the spirit of New York in the 1980s. Emerging late in the 1970s under the enigmatic tag SAMO, Basquiat left his mark with provocative statements and fragmented poetry on the city walls. He was a vibrant part of a flourishing underground movement that included visual arts, graffiti, hip hop, post-punk, and independent filmmaking, all intersecting within a burgeoning art scene. With his distinct and powerful artistic voice, Basquiat quickly broke through to exhibit his work globally in renowned galleries. Basquiat's unique expressive style fused raw imagery with text, drawing inspiration from a diverse array of influences including jazz, boxing, and basketball, while also delving into obscure historical references and street life politics. When describing his artwork, he famously summed it up as "royalty, heroism and the streets." His collaboration with the iconic Andy Warhol began in 1983, while 1985 saw him gracing the cover of The New York Times Magazine. By the time Basquiat passed away at the young age of 27, he had already cemented his status as a leading artist of his era. Initially released in a grand XXL edition, this insightful exploration of Basquiat’s work is now presented in a more accessible format to celebrate TASCHEN’s 40th anniversary. The volume includes immaculate reproductions of Basquiat’s key paintings, drawings, and notebook sketches, offering a vivid glimpse into his artistic process. The book features an introduction by editor Hans Werner Holzwarth and an essay on Basquiat's themes and artistic journey by curator and art historian Eleanor Nairne. Divided into richly illustrated chapters, it chronicles Basquiat’s life year by year, incorporating his statements and contemporary critiques to provide a comprehensive personal and historical context.