A bold, color soaked deep dive into one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. This retrospective monograph breaks down Basquiat’s visual language and the coded messages woven through his work, many of which still hit hard today.

Rising out of the 1980s downtown New York City art scene, Basquiat’s work was raw, symbolic, emotional, and impossible to ignore. Though his career was cut tragically short at 27, his output and impact were massive. This book explores how he used signs, symbols, and layered references to critique power, race, history, and the very art world that embraced him.

Inside, you’ll find insight into his inspirations. Cartoons and children’s drawings. Advertising and pop culture. His Haitian and Puerto Rican heritage. African American, African, and Aztec histories. Classical themes collide with athletes, musicians, and contemporary icons. The result is a body of work that is sharp, funny, angry, poetic, and devastating all at once.

More than a survey, this book helps decode Basquiat’s personal visual language and highlights his awareness of his place in art history and his role as a young Black artist navigating racism, suppression, and social injustice.

An essential read for art lovers, collectors, and anyone drawn to work that still speaks loud decades later.