*** Preoder - shipping out in December 2025 ***
Publikat is back – with a true banger! And who could be a more fitting artist for this long-awaited relaunch than BATES? The Scandinavian graffiti legend has been active since 1984 and is one of the very few who never stopped at all. Despite his decades of prolific output, the last book dedicated to him was released in 1998 – a rare collector’s gem still found in graffiti libraries around the world.
Now, BATES opens the brand-new series GRAFFITI BLACKBOOKS – a series dedicated entirely to the secret sketches that writers usually keep hidden.
Publikat’s passion for graffiti sketches is nothing new. Starting with the iconic Blackbook Sessions series in 2002, the publisher brought together a wide variety of writers and styles, gaining international acclaim. But this new series goes much deeper: each volume focuses exclusively on one writer, showcasing the full range of their artistic universe.
And with BATES, you’re looking at the absolute elite of style writing. Known for his unmatched mastery of classic letter styles, his work has gained even more recognition in recent years through his celebrated Exchange Project, where he transforms sketches by other writers into fresh wall pieces with his unmistakable hand.
But this book is different: it’s all about his own sketches. BATES has kept them all – raw, authentic, and filled with energy. Thousands. You’ll find them just as they are: marked with paint, covered in spray dust, annotated with quick notes, folded from being carried in pockets, or weathered from nights outdoors. Each sketch is a direct glimpse into his process and his relentless dedication to style.
Some pages go even further, showing the sketch next to the finished wall piece. This unique comparison lets you study the transformation: Did the sketch transfer 1:1 to the wall? Do the letters carry the same flow on paper and concrete? Were there intentional shifts or spontaneous adjustments?
The book also includes personal reflections by BATES on his sketches, his letters, and the very essence of style writing.
For the first time ever, these private works – kept hidden for decades – are revealed in GRAFFITI BLACKBOOKS – BATES. An essential release for graffiti enthusiasts, collectors, and lovers of contemporary urban art.
*** Preoder - shipping out in December 2025 ***
Facts:
- Release 12/2025
- Softcover
- Size 30 x 21
- 208 pages
- English
- Publikat Press
