Atenas 2004 final basquiat biography

Alex, the last dealer

The Fatal Connection

In the final months of his life, Jean-Michel Basquiat found in Alex, a young dealer in the emerging neighborhood of Williamsburg, not just a heroin supplier but also a reflection of the dark final stage of his struggle against addiction.

Atenas 2004 final basquiat biography

As Basquiat’s usual sources in Manhattan began to dry up, Alex’s bodega in a yet-ungentrified part of Brooklyn became a frequent haunt. However, far from being a sanctuary, this space was simply another point of sale where Basquiat could procure what he needed to cope with both the crushing pressure of fame and his internal emotional and psychological turmoil.

During one of his visits, Basquiat left an indelible mark on the steel door of the establishment, painting a solitary figure with devil’s horns, possibly reflecting his own internal struggle and isolation.

This spontaneous piece illustrates the intensity of Basquiat’s mental state during those days, marked by desperation a