Local elected officials, members of the Basquiat family, and community representatives gathered yesterday afternoon to officially unveil "Jean-Michel Basquiat Way" on Great Jones Street between the Bowery and Lafayette Street. The street co-naming ceremony took place on the steps of 57 Great Jones Street, the very building where the renowned artist lived and worked from 1983 until his tragic death in 1988 at the young age of 27.
The artist's sisters, Jeanine Heriveaux and Lisane Basquiat, were present at the ceremony and stood alongside Council Member Erik Bottcher, who serves as chair of the Committee on Cultural Affairs and Libraries. The family members expressed their deep appreciation for the city's recognition of their brother's legacy and contribution to New York's cultural landscape.
"To have New York honor Jean-Michel in this way is deeply meaningful to our family," the siblings said in a joint statement. "Jean-Michel's is a New York Story. We are thrilled to witness this epic moment of acknowledgment and honor from the city that helped shape him." Their words reflected the profound connection between the artist and the city that served as both his inspiration and his canvas.
Several other notable officials attended the ceremony, including Assembly Member Deborah Glick and former City Council District 2 member Carlina Rivera, who championed the co-naming initiative while she was still in office. Rivera's advocacy was instrumental in bringing this tribute to fruition, demonstrating the collaborative effort required to honor the artist's memory.
The newly designated Jean-Michel Basquiat Way is located just one block north of Joey Ramone Place, creating a corridor of artistic recognition in the neighborhood. Currently, 57 Great Jones Street houses Atelier Jolie, and the building's exterior continues to attract various forms of street art, serving as a living testament to Basquiat's enduring influence on contemporary urban art culture.
