Paint-spattered canvases stand leaning against the walls of downtown studios, music echoes through lofts in the late hours and subway cars rumble beneath the streets where a new visual language is taking shape. Assouline's coffee-table book ‘Basquiat: The World of Jean-Michel’ offers a multifaceted portrait of the artist and the cultural era that shaped him. The XXL art book is thematically organized and follows the main strands in Basquiat's work; from Heads and the energy of New York City to screen prints, collaborations with Andy Warhol, the Blue Ribbon series and explorations of the body, black identity and mythological symbolism.

Rare archival photographs capture Basquiat in moments of creation and offer glimpses of works in progress alongside completed paintings, some of which have since been destroyed or lost. Personal handwritten notes from fellow visionaries such as Keith Haring and Robert Rauschenberg further shed light on the profound influence Basquiat had on the creative communities around him.

The hardcover, featuring Red Skull (1982) on the cover, transforms one of Jean-Michel Basquiat's most striking works into a bold, tactile gateway to his world. Wrapped in a minimalist clamshell inspired by the texture of a painter's canvas, the book, when opened, reveals Basquiat's universe. A fascinating book for art collectors, cultural historians and contemporary culture enthusiasts alike, it brings together the many works and voices that continue to shape Basquiat's legacy.

Specifications
Title: Basquiat: The World of Jean-Michel
Publisher: Assouline
Size: 410 x 480 x 90 mm
Size: 348 pages
Weight: 9,498 kg
Language: English
Material: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781649804785

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