Phoebe Hoban

Phoebe Hoban’s Basquiat, the first biography of this charismatic figure, chronicles the meteoric success and overnight burnout that made Basquiat an instant artworld myth. As much the portrait of an era as the portrait of an artist, Basquiat is an incisive expose of the 80’s art market that paints a vivid picture of the rise and fall of the graffiti movement, the East Village art scene and the out-of-control auction houses. Basquiat resurrects both the painter and his time.

A 2004 afterward by the author brings the Basquiat saga up to date, including his record-setting multi-million dollar auction prices.