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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Very very sad. RIP to one of the originals

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.

Thanks for the art , Basto.

Rip Bast

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 :-)

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