Jean-Michel Basquiat News

Jean-Michel Basquiat-The-Making-of-an-Icon is the first biography of the artist in over 25 years. It was published last week.

The author, Doug Woodham, conducted over a hundred interviews, and these included members of the artist's inner circle. 

The first half of the book follows Basquiat's life, from childhood (including his parents' troubled marriage) to his death in 1988 at just 27. The second portion explores how both the artist and his work ascended to mythical status. 

In the nineties, prices had fallen as much as 80 percent, according to Woodham--that is, until celebrity collectors like Metallica's Lars Ulrich and U2's Adam Clayton, helped revive Basquiat's market.  

Incidentally, the painter will be honored this afternoon in New York City. At 1 p.m., members of his family and community representatives will gather for the unveiling of Jean-Michel Basquiat Way. This is a stretch of Great Jones Street between the Bowery and Lafayette.

Basquiat lived and worked at 57 Great Jones Street for five years.