Mary Boone

Julian Schnabel

When I first started showing in The East Village, Julian Schnabel was breaking on the scene big time.

I was a huge fan.

Not so much of his work. I don't really understand his work, other than as a reflection of that massive ego of his. It was the ego that I responded to. His attitude.

Somewhere I read that he said: "Painting makes me feel that I don't have to kill myself. But the paintings themselves, it's not important that I make them, it's just important that somebody make them."

I quoted that on the back of my invitation for my first show. I added: "Will somebody please tell Julian that I am here."

I was being funny, but truthful.

I think the idea that you are only what the public says (or doesn't say) you are is silly. Too many artists measure themselves (and are defeated by) that standard.  That's sad. The important artist is always the first to recognize his or her importance. Indeed, nobody will ever believe in you unless you first believe in yourself. Saying so in public is healthy.

Many years later I saw Julian being interviewed on one of those cable TV shows. I wrote to him (c/o Pace) and told him that I was one of the more important artists of my generation and that I would like to send him a few of my drawings as a gift, no strings attached. I told him I admired his attitude and wanted him to know who I am. I included my phone number and asked him to call and tell me where to send the drawings.

He didn't call, though I did have a dream in which he was holding my letter and staring at me.

Many years after that I went and saw his Basquait movie. It was all about this unrecognized genius living in the bushes unappreciated and unseen.

It made me feel like he didn't believe his own movie.

I mean, how'd he know?

All he had to do was drop a quarter to find out.

Tim Folzenlogen
MB Modern, March 2001