Jean-Michel Basquiat

LE BOOK, the international reference for the creative industry, announces the release of its 2011 New York edition, curated by Tamra Davis (director of the recently released film tribute to BASQUIAT, THE RADIANT CHILD), art direction by Shepard Fairey’s STUDIO NUMBER ONE, and dressed by one of the most recognizable artists of the twentieth century, graffiti artist and neo-expressionist painter, JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960 – 1988). At an early age, BASQUIAT demonstrated an interest in art that was nurtured and encouraged by his parents. At the age of 16, BASQUIAT attended City-As-School where he met fellow artist Al Diaz. Together, they began collaborating and spray-painting the cryptic aphorisms signed SAMO©, based on a fictional character created by BASQUIAT, so recognized on subway trains and in lower Manhattan in the late seventies. In December of 1981, the first major article on BASQUIAT, entitled “The Radiant Child,” was published. After that article, BASQUIAT quickly became a known-name, and tastemakers of the time collected and promoted his work. His art was featured in the group show Transavanguardia: Italia/America” along with Neo-Expressionists Sandro Chia, Francesco Clemente, Enzo Cucchi, David Deutsch, David Salle, and Julian Schnabel.