Graffiti Art Books, Hip Hop Books and Urban Art Books
Graffiti World - Street Art From Five Continents
Nicholas Ganz, Edited by Tristan Manco
Thames and Hudson Ltd
The back cover blurb says "Graffiti World is the ultimate graffiti book" - and they're not wrong. This is a must have. Over 2,000 photos from around the world and featuring more than 180 graffiti artists. Includes quotes and insights from artists with a diverse range of styles - this book covers old and new graff created in a variety of media - spraycan, brush, stickers, posters, digital - it's all here. Too many artisits to mention, but included are pieces by Bask, Dalek, Craola, 123 Klan, Banksy, Daim, Kid Acne, 3A Crew, and Le Club 70. The book's appendix includes a glossary and a list of artists' websites. A 376 page hardback inspirational beauty. Buy it!
Buy Graffiti World now at Amazon.co.uk
Subway Art
Martha Cooper, Henry Chalfant
Thames and Hudson Ltd
Totally essential classic graffiti art book published in 1984. This was the bible of New York Graffiti back in the day. Includes a history of the evolution of graffiti in the 1970s. Artists featured include: Blade, Seen, Shy 147, Dondi, T-Kid, Skeme, Doze, Lady Pink, Dez, Futura 2000, Lee and loads of other legends. Absolute old skool classic.
Buy Subway Art now at Amazon.co.uk
Spraycan Art
Henry Chalfant, James Prigoff
Thames and Hudson Ltd
1987 sequel to the Subway Art book featuring artists from around the world. This book includes more work by Seen, T-Kid, Lee and Blade plus pieces from British writers Chrome Angelz (a detail of a Mode 2 piece graces the front cover). Massive Attack's 3D and Goldie also feature.
Buy Spraycan Art now at Amazon.co.uk
Stencil Graffiti
Tristan Manco
Thames and Hudson Ltd
This book has a fine collection of stencil graffiti art from around the globe. Artist featured include Swifty, Ian Wright, Banksy, Shepard Fairey (Giant), Dave Kinsey, Steff Plaetz, plus loads of anonymous pieces. Top stencil action.
Buy Stencil Graffiti now at Amazon.co.uk
123Klan: Style is the Message
Scien, Klor
This came with a package from Fourskin - included t shirt, stickers, poster and book. Great little book featuring 160 pages of sketches, photos of graff, graphics and illustration work by the incredibly talented French graffiti crew. This book features work stretching back over 12 years.
Scrawl: Dirty Graphics and Strange Characters
Ric Blackshaw, Liz Farrelly
Booth-Clibborn Editions
Incredible book of graffiti art, artworks and illustrations. Favourites include Doze Green, Futura 2000, She One, Mode 2, Phil Frost, Barry McGee, Pete Fowler, Mr Jago, Will Barras, Kid Acne, and Delta.
Buy Scrawl: Dirty Graphics and Strange characters now at Amazon.co.uk
Scrawl Too: More Dirt
Ric Blackshaw, Liz Farrelly
Booth-Clibborn Editions
More of the same, this time with art from Banksy, Henry Obasi, Ryan McGinness, Struggle Inc, Rostarr, AA Crew, KR, Merda, Chu and Obey Giant (Shepard Fairey).
Buy Scrawl Too: More Dirt now at Amazon.co.uk
Stick Em Up
Mike Dorrian, David Recchia, Liz Farrelly
Booth-Clibborn Editions
Inspiring book of stickers from around the world, from rough marker scribbles on a Royal Mail sticker to more refined printed stickers. Some stuff from Shepard Fairey and Dave Kinsey amongst the more obscure artists.
Buy Stick Em Up now at Amazon.co.uk
Getting Up: Subway Graffiti in New York
Craig Castleman
Autograf
This old skool book from 1982 contains mostly text rather than photos. Chapters include a history of the early days of writing, politics of graffiti art, the Police and MTA and an interview with the Fabulous Five’s Lee.
Buy Getting Up: Subway Graffiti in New York now at Amazon.co.uk
Books by Banksy: Banging Your Head Against A Brick Wall, Existencilism, Cut It Out
3 great little books from the infamous UK stencil graffiti artist Banksy.
Buy Banginging Your Head against A Brick Wall at Amazon.co.uk
Buy Existencilism at Amazon.co.uk
Buy Cut It Out at Amazon.co.uk
Other grafitti art books worth checking
Autograf New York Citys Graffiti Writers
Peter Sutherland
Powerhouse Cultural Entertainment Books
Writing: Urban Calligraphy and Beyond
Arthur Remke, Markus Mai
Die Gestalten Urban
Discipline: Grafitti-art
Nils Jockel
All City
Paul 107
ECW Press
Blackbook Sessions
Jorn Stiller
Stylefile Magazine, Gingko Press
Blackbook Sessions #02: Sketches, Scribbles, Full colour black book styles
Markus Christl
Stylefile Magazine, Gingko Press
On the Wheels of Steel: End2ends (Graffiti on Trains in Germany and Europe)
Various
Ginko Press
The Graffiti Subculture: Youth, Masculinity and Identity in London and New York
Nancy Macdonald Palgrave
Macmillan
Broken Windows: New York Graffiti
James T. Murray, Karla L. Murray
Gingko Press, Inc
Dondi
Andrew Witen, Michael White
HarperCollins
The Art of Getting Over: Graffiti at the Millennium
Stephen Powers
Saint Martin's Press
Straight Lines
Markus Christl
Gingko Press
Dalek - Nickel Plated Angels
James Marshall, Roger Gastman
Gingko Press
Enamelized
Roger Gastman
Gingko Press
Taking the Train: How Graffiti Became an Urban Crisis in New York City (Popular Cultures, Everyday Lives)
Joe Austin
Columbia University Press
Street Graphics New York
Barry Dawson
Thames and Hudson Ltd
Art of Rebellion: The World of Street Art
Christian Hundertmark
Gingko Press
Barcelona Graffiti
Alberto Scholz
Index Book
Network Terror: A What, Why, Who, How and When of the UK Graffiti Artist
Graphotism Urban Media
Painting Without Permission: Hip-hop Graffiti Subculture
Janice Rahn
Greenwood Press
Graffiti Art
Art Data
Street Logos (Street Graphics)
Tristan Manco
Thames and Hudson Ltd
Futura
Futura
Booth-Clibborn Editions
Shepard Fairey
Shepard Fairey
Gingko Press
Antenna’s Recommended Hip Hop Related Books
Back in the Days
Jamel Shabazz
Powerhouse Cultural Entertainment Books
Essential book of hip hop photography from the early days. With Introduction by Fab Five Freddy.
