[Zippy]

Very sad news. One of the greats of our scene.
Rip. Taken far too early.

[slipry]

Bast is an artist who represents Brooklyn. He does this by writing 'BAST-BROOKLYN' on other people's property (and in one case when visiting London the side of a moving red double-decker bus). He does this by speaking with a deep Williamsburg drawl that makes Al Pacino sound like a girl, but mainly he does it by making art that actually feels like Brooklyn. The borough is said to contain every culture and race that exists on planet earth but that doesn't necessarily make it interesting - so does the United Nations building but who wants to look at that? The key to Bast's appeal is not being very responsible. The work isn't so much a 'melting pot' of culture as a food blender, set on max and left until the motor burns out.

His art is fast and loose and cheap, which is strangely why it endures, it's punchy and it has value. As the great disgraced film producer Robert Evans once said "It's irreverence that makes things sizzle, it's irreverence that gives you the chance of truly touching magic..."


- Banksy, December 2004

[Gentle Mental]

Bast is a true original. Will be deeply missed.
Sad day.

[Sic]

Just unbelievable news. I’m at a loss for words. Rest easy my friend.

[MGK1]

I was lucky enough to spend a week with Bast in 2011 when he came to Newcastle for an exhibition at Lazarides up there. I was a 16 yr old kid, volunteering on weekends for Laz. Mike took me under his wing. We'd go out painting until 5am then he'd let me sleep in his hotel room before I was up at 8am to go to school (I think I was doing my GCSEs!)

I remember realising at the time that he was the first 'real' artist I'd ever met. Those few days had a huge impact on teenage me and today's news has left me, and plenty of others by the sound of things, truly gutted.

I've shared some photos I took from those few days in Newcastle below:

[Coach]

Went to the opening night of his joint show with Judith Supine. scavos one of our great nights out. What a superb show that was. Both artists at a great time of their development. Had a blast. Amy print released there.
A true great.

[maadbeats]

Unbelievable. One my favorite artists of the past two decades. Had that raw Basquiat esthetic, no fucks attitude that made me love art even more. Was hoping we’d get a chance to see another exhibition by this genius after all this covid shit. RIP, a true loss

[blurp]

Good night but, be honest, Bast's work was not his finest. Supine was on point. Shame he's sorta fizzled. One of the fav things I own is a massive Supine.

May 3, 2021 23:39:45 GMT 1 Coach said:

Went to the opening night of his joint show with Judith Supine. scavos one of our great nights out. What a superb show that was. Both artists at a great time of their development. Had a blast. Amy print released there.
A true great.

[Photoxtc]

Bast... very sad new indeed! you will be greatly missed, a true legend in our world!!

[twist65]

What truly awful news, am really saddened to hear this. Without doubt his work for me has always represented everything I have loved most from this scene. His style was often imitated but he was peerless in terms of an authentic and pure raw visual chaos, it was always an adrenaline rush seeing something new from him, especially his collages. I still laugh thinking about that Christmas Day drop and don't think I closed his site's page from my browser for about 5 years 'just in case'...
RIP Bast, what a legend.

[Pipes]

RIP. pioneer.

[dwight]

Truly a loss for our community. As an artist Bast was brilliant, and his works are some of my all time favorites. Finding his works in NYC and Brooklyn always made me happy and I felt like I connected with the real movement. He was certainly one of the OGs. Although I didn't know him personally, it sounds like he was a wonderful person and friend to those who did. So sad to hear of his passing and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones.

[jaym3]

RIP BästNY 🙏

[tab1]

Out of the blue ? Or known illness ?
Thoughts to family 🙏🌟

[Discerning Eye]

So sad. RIP, man. Loved your work.

[foreman]

[mj]

That show at Leonard Street Gallery was my intruduction to his work, gone to soon.RIP Bästo

[oe32]

Very very sad. RIP to one of the originals

[Deleted]

Does anyone know what happened?

[Leo Boyd]

Ah man
I was scrolling through hoping to find that this was just one of those internet glitches. But it seem sadly not to be.
RIP Bastoni.

[Guy Denning]

Ridiculous news - no age at all. And terribly sad for all who knew him and his work. A giant talent.
Rest in peace.

[Sacked...]

Thanks for the art , Basto.

[Argiebaji]

Truly Awful to hear of the passing of Bast. Just awful,Way too soon.

[Cool User Name]

Rip Bast

[FЯ]

His story was interesting - am i right in saying he used to be a baggage handler and would use airline / baggage stickers in his works. I read it here over the years, don't shoot the messenger if not correct

[Reader]

May 4, 2021 10:03:14 GMT 1 FЯ said:

His story was interesting - am i right in saying he used to be a baggage handler and would use airline / baggage stickers in his works. I read it here over the years, don't shoot the messenger if not correct

Yep, he worked as a baggage handler at JFK, I guess that's why he introduced the term "artists condition" for works that looked like they'd thrown down a baggage shoot then stomped on :-)

[Bram]

Very sad news, an absolute legend

[Gard]

Very sad news. Bast was an absolute legend, an artist I've had so much fun with when visiting New York. RIP

[Sacked...]

May 3, 2021 23:35:35 GMT 1 MGK1 said:

I was lucky enough to spend a week with Bast in 2011 when he came to Newcastle for an exhibition at Lazarides up there. I was a 16 yr old kid, volunteering on weekends for Laz. Mike took me under his wing. We'd go out painting until 5am then he'd let me sleep in his hotel room before I was up at 8am to go to school (I think I was doing my GCSEs!)

I remember realising at the time that he was the first 'real' artist I'd ever met. Those few days had a huge impact on teenage me and today's news has left me, and plenty of others by the sound of things, truly gutted.

I've shared some photos I took from those few days in Newcastle below:

I remember how excited you were at meeting him and helping him to put his stuff up around town . The present he gave you for helping him made me envious.

[Extra Ball]

sad news