Stephen Lee Naish first became aware of Dennis Hopper watching David Lynch's
Blue Velvet, jumpstarting what would become a long examination of Hopper's ambitions and creative output as an actor, filmmaker, photographer, sculptor, and painter. In his book,
Create or Die: Essays on the Artistry of Dennis Hopper (Amsterdam University Press, 2016), Naish places Hopper's work in its social and political context , showcasing the diverse career of a talented visual artist and pioneer in the American independent film movement.