Jean-Michel Basquiat

by Richard Marshall, Jean-Michel Basquiat

This is a survey of the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988), a key member of a group of New York artists who used the powerful images of graffiti to create a new expressive language. Published to accompany an exhibition held at the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, in 1992-93, the book contains illustrations reproducing paintings, drawings, collages, silkscreens, and constructions, many previously unpublished. The text includes essays by Dick Hebdige, Klaus Kertess, Richard Marshall, Rene Ricard, Greg Tate and Robert Farris Thompson. They explore Basquiat's artistic contributions from several perspectives.

Genres: Art, Art History, Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Myrna Minkoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book (coupled with Julian Schnabel's outstanding film) explains why I'm obsessed with Samo.

[Mark Dickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I really enjoyed this book as an introduction to Basquiat’s art. While my ideal version of this would be an intermingling of the critical essays, artwork and the timeline of his life, I’ve come away with a newfound appreciation for this artist.

I really struggle with reading critics talk about art, because it’s often written in an impenetrable and snobbish way, but this was a good selection. I skipped one person, who was too insufferable to even get through a ten-page essay, but the rest did a great job.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jean-Michel was 8 years old when his mother gave him a book on the human figure. He practiced drawing it as a result of this gift. As a teenager he became a graffiti artist on the walls in Manhattan’s Lower East Side leaving messages. And. Drawings. He eventually got known on the New York art galleries. He met Andy Warhol and became great friends with him.

Besides the illustrations and the extra facts at the end of this book, I found it made me interested to know more about the artist. I think that that book has the ability to make a child want to know more about the artist and more. By more, I think a child might want to try his hand at producing art. The author did an excellent job writing his story.


Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Pan Ellington · Rating 4 out of 5]

i bought this one not long after i discovered him from the film, in the nineties. interesting, reading the essays, critical theory and that. the real treat of this read, tho, are the number of plates that follow the writing. just so incredibly beautiful, my god.

[Lina Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best painter. EVER.

[Angela]

<3

[Haylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this one for 13 years, and its still sitting on one of my coffee tables. Its beautiful.

[Archana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful essays about the art and the man. I'm jealous of the writing ability!

[Eamonn Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good analysis of an interesting artist.

[Rotimi Rainwater]

Great