Basquiat: A Quick Killing in Art Paperback – Bargain Price, September 1, 1999

Condition was as described (poor) but didn't matter since I absolutely love the book.

I really enjoyed reading this. I know something about Basquiat from Schnabel's movie and some PBS shows. I've seen Basquiat's work in person at the NYC Gagosian Basquiat show last year. This book really helped to bring it all into perspective. The decetency of the era, the money spent and wasted, the loneliness of a artist who did attain his goal of becoming famous only to be swallowed up by the weight of it all. Many in his presence felt him to be a genius. Many used him as a meal-ticket. His art is wonderful to view and imagine what it's all about in relationship to those influences he brought into his life, both in person and through his reading (Burroughs, etc), music listening, and television watching.I can't believe he was never arrested for drug posession being such a visable target... the book documents numerous times when he was just about to be found out and then the authorities just went away... or never showed up at all. He lived a charmed life in that respect... though it may have cost him his life, which brings me to the obvious conclusion: he was born to live fast and die young.We still have to see how his work stands the test of time but there is no doubt that he was an important and interesting artist that has left a wealth of images to contemplate... or dismiss. Like Hendrix or Jim Morrison we will only ever be able to think of him as young... never old enough to be wise.I loved learning more about the gallerists and art dealers of the time and reminising about the clubs and the music scene. And his relationship with Warhol. Well worth the time to read.

Last month I went with a friend to the Basquiat exhibition at the Gagosian gallery in Chelsea. Basquiat had certainly entered our consciousness via the media during the eighties but we were into other things then so our knowledge of his brief shooting-star career wasn't very specific. We vaguely knew he had died before the decade was over; we identified him with Keith Haring, another art-world casualty of the era. The wit and energy of Basquiat's paintings in this large, comprehensive show were captivating but the rushed quality of so much of his work was disturbing. What had propelled him to work so fast and furiously? How and why had he died? So I came home, did a web search, and made a smart decision: Phoebe Hoban's biography was the book to buy.Phoebe Hoban's biography IS the book to buy. I don't know how she did it, immersing herself so completely in the downtown art scene, interviewing everyone (loyal girlfriends, slippery boyfriends, high school teachers, art dealers, drug dealers). Hoban's writing is wonderfully alive and descriptive. She seems to leave no stone unturned, nailing down, for instance, the ambiguous role played in Basquiat's short and tumultuous career by one Larry "Go-Go" Gagosian.Basquiat's work sells for millions now. Hoban's biography will explain it all to you.

I have been on a mad hunt for all things Basquiat since I had an epiphany to look him up on Google a few months ago. I had heard him name-dropped by Jay Z and Swizz Beats, but never thought much of examining the history based on that. I thought perhaps it was just another fancy hip-hop obsession with artistic/high society interests such as Cristal champagne or Picasso. But BOY, did I open up a world of riveting research by placing Jean-Michel in the search engine! From SAMO, to the band Gray, to the film Downtown 81, to Phoebe Hoban's book - I have become completely enamored with the story! 'A Quick Killing in Art' is a must read for anyone truly interested in the explosive rise & fall of contemporary art's 'wild child'. Phoebe does a phenomenal job at capturing and revealing not only the soul and journey of Basquiat, but also the detailed history of the NY art scene and key players of that time. The film 'Basquiat' by Julian Schnabel was a poor portrayal and nothing compared to this book. Watch Downtown 81 and read 'A Quick Killing in Art' to get the real Jean-Michel!

I had never heard of basquait before I admit (before reading this book). After I finished reading I found myself becoming a raving fan of his "art". I use the commas because to me he lacks the art aspect and his art is purchased because of the man behind the paintings(Which I learned from Phoebe's book). He is more of a pioneer of street art, having made it so much more commercially available to the public; but he is the street in essence. Phoebe painstakingly researched Basquait through real life relatives and close friends, it almost felt as if she was becoming obsessed with him herself; perhaps that is merely me noticing the devotion to the writing material...If you are a fan of art and expressionism you will find a kindred spirit in Basquait. Pheobe managed to bring that feeling of connection through her book unlike any other biography that I have read.

There is a lot about other artists and the art world in this book. Sometimes the information seems completely unrelated to Basquiat and more like filler. Still, I enjoyed the book. Not nearly enough pictures, and the ones that are included are grainy and difficult to really appreciate. I think that's a huge flaw in the book. Also, a lot about the personal lives of dealers and gallery owners, that seem quite out of place, or irrelevant.

Every page is excellent and informative.Fair and compelling presentation of one of my favorite artists of all -time. A+

The book portrays Basquiat as a sad wunderkind-victim-of-the-art-world. Maybe that was true, but it didn't give enough information about his complete character, ideology, or work. I just wish it went deeper. It is also a bit repetitive.

I really appreciated “Basquiat- A Quick Killing in Art” for its fascinating journey behind the scene of the artist’s life. The author wrote through the eyes of those who were around Jean-Michel Basquiat during his life time.Phoebe Hoban’s thoroughly researched and detailed book takes us through the colourful and sometimes poignant many sides of Basquiat’s life such as through his friends, the art dealers, his romantic interests, his conquests, his temperament and his struggles with "sharks" and drugs. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Basquiat, his art or wants to know more about his intense, frenetic and captivating energy that led to one of the world’s most talked about contemporary artists.

Fascinating snapshot of a mercurial talent and the insanity of the 80's art market centred in NYC, couldn't put it down. Lots of anecdotes and quotations from those who were there from gallery owners , fellow artists , dealers and club kids. Will read it again at some point I'm sure.

Such a great book about a genius who died too young. Great book for fans of the artist.

The books are supposed to be new this book came with a half ripped off sticker on the front cover as I was buying this for a gift it was a little bit disappointing to have to remove a sticker from the front of a book that shouldn't have been there