Phoebe Hoban | Basquiat: A Quick Killing in Art

​Artist biographer Phoebe Hoban joins us to discuss her recently re-released bestseller about Jean-Michel Basquiat, Basquiat: A Quick Killing in Art.

This event will take place in person and online at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library in the 7th Floor Event Space.

Jean-Michel Basquiat evolved from a teenage graffiti artist into an international art star in less than a decade. Rapidly rising to fame during the 1980s art boom, he quickly became involved with such celebrated personalities as Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, and Madonna. Today he is considered one of the major artists of the 20th century. Acclaimed journalist and author Phoebe Hoban eloquently portrays his life in Basquiat: A Quick Killing in Art. Originally published in 1998, it was a national bestseller and a New York Times Notable Book (now out in an updated edition from Harper Perennial). This edition includes a new introduction that brings readers up to speed on recent developments in Basquiat’s extraordinary posthumous career: from continuous record-breaking sales to global branding to scandals involving forgeries, most notably the fakes seized several years ago by the FBI during a raid of a Basquiat exhibit at the Orlando Museum of Art.

Basquiat died at age 27 in 1988, but he left an enduring legacy. His art seamlessly combines striking images and text, creating a uniquely vibrant and relevant commentary on race, culture and politics. With each passing year, the remarkable energy and originality of his work increases in power. In a world where the imperative need for diversity is among the driving forces of our time, Basquiat’bios success in the 1980s white art world, and his ongoing universal celebrity, have made him a significant role model for generations of artists to come.

Basquiat: A Quick Killing in Art is a fascinating portrait of the young artist and his time, from the rise and fall of the graffiti movement, to the booming East Village art scene, to the powerful art dealers and avaricious auction houses.

To join the event in person | Doors will open 30 minutes before the program begins. For free events, we generally overbook to ensure a full house. Priority will be given to those who have registered in advance, but registration does not guarantee admission. All registered seats are released shortly before start time, and seats may become available at that time. A standby line will form 30 minutes before the program.

To view the livestream | Whether you're attending in person or online, you must register with your email address. You will need a device with audio and/or video and an internet/cellular connection to view the livestream.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Phoebe Hoban has written about culture and the arts for a variety of publications, including The New York Times, New York Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ, Harper’s Bazaar, ARTnews, and The New York Observer, among others. She is the author of three artist biographies: Basquiat: A Quick Killing in Art, Alice Neel: The Art of Not Sitting Pretty, and Lucian Freud: Eyes Wide Open.

Books by this Author

• Borrow: NYPL Catalog


• This event will also include signing and sales of the book by our Library Shop.

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ACCESSIBILITY NOTES

In-Person

• Assistive listening devices and/or hearing loops are available at the venue.


• You can request a free ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation or CART (Communication Access Real-Time Translation) captioning service by emailing your request at least two weeks in advance of the event: email accessibility@nypl.org or use this Gmail template.


• This venue is fully accessible to wheelchairs.

Livestream

• Captions and a transcript will be provided.


• You can request a free ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation by emailing your request at least two weeks in advance of the event: email accessibility@nypl.org or use this Gmail templateaccessibility@nypl.org or use this Gmail template.

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Please submit all press inquiries to Connor Goodwin at least 48 hours before the event: email connorgoodwin@nypl.org.
 

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All programs are subject to change or cancellation. All programs are subject to recording and photography.

The 7 Stories Up Series at SNFL is made possible by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).