Jean-Michel Basquiat, by Eleanor Nairne. 40th Ed. By TASHEN

An enduring icon of 1980s New York, Jean-Michel Basquiat emerged from the streets under the tag SAMO before transforming the art world. Fueled by the city’s vibrant underground scene—graffiti, hip-hop, post-punk, and independent cinema—he developed a raw, explosive style combining words, symbols, and references to jazz, sports, hidden histories, and urban politics. A collaborator of Andy Warhol and featured on the cover of The New York Times Magazine, Basquiat was recognized as one of the most gifted artists of his generation before his death at just 27. Originally published in an XXL edition, this landmark book is now available in a more accessible, compact format to celebrate TASCHEN’s 40th anniversary. Featuring exceptional reproductions of Basquiat’s most important paintings, drawings, and sketches, it offers an intimate encounter with his work, enriched by authoritative texts and a richly illustrated, year-by-year account of his life and artistic evolution. An essential volume to experience the lasting power of Basquiat.