Basquiat first came to prominence when he collaborated with Al Diaz to spray-paint enigmatic statements under the pseudonym SAMO (c) He went on to work on collages Xerox art postcards performances & music before establishing his reputation as one of the most important painters of his generation Accompanying a major exhibition at the Barbican Art Gallery this book opens with introductory essays from the curators which place his practice in a wider art historical context & look at his career through the lens of performance Six thematic chapters offer new research with essays from poet Christian Campbell on SAMO (c); curator Carlo Mc Cormick on New York New Wave; writer Glenn O& Brien on the downtown scene; academic Jordana Moore Saggese on Basquiat&s relationship to film & television; & music scholar Francesco Martinelli on Basquiat&s obsession with jazz This insightful new survey also features extended captions rare archival material & extensive photography demonstrating how Basquiat&s legacy remains more powerful & relevant than ever today