About the book
The first book on Chicago-born Hebru Brantley, the preeminent African American pop artist of his generation, whose work is hot and in demand in the art world, the fashion world, street style, and the music world.
Straddling the worlds of fine art, street art, and hip-hop, name-dropped on many a rap song, and collected by the likes of Jay-Z and LeBron James, Hebru is a painter, sculptor, and designer.
He first gained attention as a graffiti artist, tagging walls with colorful depictions of “Flyboy”—a child donning aviator goggles—all over the Windy City. Fast-forward to 2021, and his creations, profoundly influenced by Disney and Japanese Superflat, are now in museums and branded goods for A Bathing Ape, Billionaire Boys Club, Adidas Originals, and a host of other sought-after labels.
At the heart of Hebru’s work is restoring innocence to the depiction of Black youth, often forced into adulthood before their time in the eyes of the law and popular media. Upbeat and life-affirming, Brantley’s work not only attempts to normalize images of Black children at play, his creation of Black superheroes also suggests an entirely new mythology in a cultural landscape often devoid of positive examples.
This book features the breadth of Hebru’s work so far and is the first monograph on his work. Set out in two parts, this work examines both the fine-art and applied-art nature of his work, with both his paintings and his streetwear collaborations receiving pride of place in the design of the book by prominent graphic designer Oliver Munday, currently the art director of The Atlantic.
Editions of Hebru Brantley
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780847872190
Read an Excerpt
The first book on Chicago-born Hebru Brantley, the preeminent African American pop artist of his generation, whose work is hot and in demand in the art world, the fashion world, street style, and the music world.
Straddling the worlds of fine art, street art, and hip-hop, name-dropped on many a rap song, and collected by the likes of Jay-Z and LeBron James, Hebru is a painter, sculptor, and designer.
He first gained attention as a graffiti artist, tagging walls with colorful depictions of “Flyboy”—a child donning aviator goggles—all over the Windy City. Fast-forward to 2021, and his creations, profoundly influenced by Disney and Japanese Superflat, are now in museums and branded goods for A Bathing Ape, Billionaire Boys Club, Adidas Originals, and a host of other sought-after labels.
At the heart of Hebru’s work is restoring innocence to the depiction of Black youth, often forced into adulthood before their time in the eyes of the law and popular media. Upbeat and life-affirming, Brantley’s work not only attempts to normalize images of Black children at play, his creation of Black superheroes also suggests an entirely new mythology in a cultural landscape often devoid of positive examples.
This book features the breadth of Hebru’s work so far and is the first monograph on his work. Set out in two parts, this work examines both the fine-art and applied-art nature of his work, with both his paintings and his streetwear collaborations receiving pride of place in the design of the book by prominent graphic designer Oliver Munday, currently the art director of The Atlantic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hebru Brantley about?
The first book on Chicago-born Hebru Brantley, the preeminent African American pop artist of his generation, whose work is hot and in demand in the art world, the fashion world, street style, and the music world.
Straddling the worlds of fine art, street art, and hip-hop, name-dropped on many a rap song, and collected by the likes of Jay-Z and LeBron James, Hebru is a painter, sculptor, and designer.
He first gained attention as a graffiti artist, tagging walls with colorful depictions of “Flyboy”—a child donning aviator goggles—all over the Windy City. Fast-forward to 2021, and his creations, profoundly influenced by Disney and Japanese Superflat, are now in museums and branded goods for A Bathing Ape, Billionaire Boys Club, Adidas Originals, and a host of other sought-after labels.
At the heart of Hebru’s work is restoring innocence to the depiction of Black youth, often forced into adulthood before their time in the eyes of the law and popular media. Upbeat and life-affirming, Brantley’s work not only attempts to normalize images of Black children at play, his creation of Black superheroes also suggests an entirely new mythology in a cultural landscape often devoid of positive examples.
This book features the breadth of Hebru’s work so far and is the first monograph on his work. Set out in two parts, this work examines both the fine-art and applied-art nature of his work, with both his paintings and his streetwear collaborations receiving pride of place in the design of the book by prominent graphic designer Oliver Munday, currently the art director of The Atlantic.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Hebru Brantley?
The Arts > The visual, decorative or fine arts: treatments and subjects > Individual artists, art monographs
Where can I read a sample of Hebru Brantley?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780847872190
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Hebru Brantley?
Hebru Brantley
Who is the Publisher of the book Hebru Brantley?
Rizzoli
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Hebru Brantley is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780847872190)
Where can I buy Hebru Brantley online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Hebru Brantley from below
Where can I buy Hebru Brantley?