Jean-Michel Basquiat — An Introduction to a Cultural Icon

From the streets of New York to the walls of its most prominent galleries, follow the short, prolific, and politicized career of Jean-Michel Basquiat—a cult figure of artistic social commentary. This accessible introduction traces how the young trailblazer fused influences as varied as Greek and Roman antiquity, African art, French poetry, and jazz into visceral images that mix words with bold color and urgent mark-making.

Packed with crisp reproductions and clear context, this book maps Basquiat’s meteoric rise—from SAMO© graffiti to breakout exhibitions—while unpacking themes of identity, memory, power, and the Black experience in America. It’s an essential primer for fans of contemporary art, culture, and music alike.

Why you’ll love it

• Clear, concise overview: The life, themes, and techniques behind Basquiat’s most important works

• Image-rich survey: High-quality plates that showcase color, gesture, and text

• Cultural context: How music, poetry, and history shaped an unmistakable visual language

• Gift-ready: A striking introduction for students, collectors, and design lovers

Inside (at a glance)

• Origins: SAMO©, downtown NYC, and the 1980s art scene

• Motifs & symbols: crowns, anatomy, masks, lists, and crossed-out words

• Cross-influences: antiquity, African diasporic art, bebop & hip-hop, and literature

• Legacy: collaboration, market impact, and enduring relevance

Pair it with

• A calm glow from Candles for slow-looking sessions

• A journal from Books to capture notes and favorite plates

Bring home a bold primer on the artist who made language, rhythm, and color collide—Basquiat at his most electric.