Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Head—The Mind

An oversize, faux-leather-bound volume presenting a focused selection of Basquiat’s energized depictions of heads and facesAmong the most recognizable motifs of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s oeuvre is the human head. Whether colorful, bald, crowned or simply disquieting, his expressive approach evokes the skeletal aspects of these faces, reminding us of the skull beneath the skin: a memento mori for the modern age. The Head—The Mind explores the artist’s fascination with the head as a vessel of identity, emotion and intellect, expressed through raw, gestural lines that capture the tension between inner thought and outward expression.

Introduced by Sophia Herivaux, Basquiat’s niece, this selection of portraits is interspersed with quotes from interviews and other primary sources, delving into the logic of his works’ bold color, energy and cryptic symbolism. Featuring a faux leather cover with a tipped-in image, black endpapers and book block, a ribbon bookmark and more, this Basquiat volume is made to be admired both inside and out. Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960–88) is one of the most successful Black visual artists in history, despite his brief career.

He emerged on the New York City arts scene in the late 1970s and quickly skyrocketed to international fame, becoming one of the most important artists of his generation. Basquiat’s work and legacy continue to influence popular culture, especially art, music and fashion.