Author Description

Between these pages is arguably the most important discovery of pre-fame Jean-Michel Basquiat drawings in existence. They were hidden in plain sight for 40 years by the artist`s close friend, Tyler Watts. Actually, she forgot she had them. There are 48 of his drawings all photographed in different spectrums to show the underpaintings and hidden texts. Included is the stream of consciousness remembrances of the original owner of the collection as she talks about the first time they met when she asked Jean-Michel what he was drawing, he replied he was making "junk art". Tyler writes of the craziness and fun they had together with many well-known people. Photographically detailed is Jean-Michel Basquiat`s method of painting and obsessively redoing. There are several monumental discoveries made during color spectrum dissection. Most amazing: We discovered several sketches, later used in some of his most important paintings, including the one used on the front of this dustjacket. This book was published to expand the oeuvre, what it actually does will prove some long-held ideas while disproving others. The draftsmanship, the colorization, the conjuring of dichotomies, the young artist`s understanding of so many disparate ideas and ideologies are astounding. This treatise on the work has hundreds of photographs that become self-revelatory. As the artist could not be here we endeavored that this book would speak for Jean-Michel Basquiat himself.