Jean-Michel Basquiat: Of Symbols and Signs

Jean-Michel Basquiat's artwork had a significant impact on the 1980s downtown New York City art scene. He used a complex network of signs and symbols to challenge the art world system and address political, social, racial, and cultural issues. This book explores his inspiration from various sources, including cartoons, children's drawings, advertising, and his Haitian and Puerto Rican heritage, and how he incorporated classical themes and contemporary icons into his work. Basquiat's understanding of his role in art history and his position as a young Black artist in a world of racism and social injustice is evident in his powerful and meaningful artwork.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 11 October 2022
Publisher: Prestel

Jean-Michel Basquiat's artistic output, characterized by its symbolic complexity and frequently emotional resonance, exerted a profound impact on the vibrant art scene of downtown New York City during the 1980s. Despite his untimely demise at the age of 27, Basquiat's legacy endures through the sheer volume of his creative endeavors and the profound messages he encoded within his works, addressing political, social, racial, and cultural issues. This captivating book delves into the intricate manner in which Basquiat employed a rich tapestry of signs and symbols to challenge the very system that had catapulted him to fame within the art world. It explores the diverse sources of inspiration that shaped his artistic journey, encompassing cartoons, children's drawings, advertising, as well as his Haitian and Puerto Rican heritage. The book also examines the profound influence of African, African American, and Aztec cultural histories on his work, highlighting how he seamlessly integrated classical themes and contemporary icons into his creations. What becomes evident is Basquiat's profound understanding of the artist's role in art history and his position as a young Black artist navigating a world rife with racism, suppression, and social injustice. This book serves as a valuable tool for readers, aiding them in decoding Basquiat's distinctive artistic language, a captivating body of work that encompassed a range of emotions, from incisive social commentary to angry, comic, hip, and heartbreaking expressions. Remarkably, Basquiat's work remains powerful and meaningful today, resonating with audiences across generations.

Weight: 1560g
Dimension: 298 x 248 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783791379579