the americans. newart. is the first book to survey the most recent wave of American contemporary art. The book features thirty of the most important artists to have emerged from the USA in the last five years, including some young artists who are just starting to establish their international reputations. The last time the American art scene was so active was in the eighties, which saw the emergence of a brat pack of celebrated artists. This phenomenon died along with the economic boom and international attention turned to other countries - including Britain. However, the wave of American artists that began to emerge in the later nineties is carving out a distinct identity for itself.