The East Village's Lost Boy: Gary Indiana, 1980s Writer, Dead at 60
Gary Indiana, the sharp-witted writer who captured the grit and glamour of the 1980s East Village scene, has died. He was 60.
Indiana was a legend, a true original who wrote with a rawness and honesty that resonated with a generation. His books, like "Three-Way" and "The Horse You Came In On", chronicled the wild lives of artists, musicians, and hustlers who inhabited the East Village in its golden age.
He wasn't afraid to write about the darker side of things, the sex, the drugs, the desperation. His writing was often unflinching, but it was also deeply human, filled with a love for the characters he created and the world he inhabited.
A Life of Excess and Art
Indiana's life was as wild and chaotic as the era he wrote about. He was a fixture in the East Village art scene, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and David Wojnarowicz.
He was known for his sharp wit, his infectious laugh, and his ability to spin a yarn like no other. But he also struggled with addiction and mental health issues, which he wrote about with heartbreaking candor in his memoir, "After the Eclipse."
A Legacy of Words
Despite the challenges he faced, Indiana left behind a powerful and enduring legacy. He was a master of language, a gifted storyteller, and a true observer of the human condition. His work continues to resonate with readers today, offering a glimpse into a bygone era and a reminder of the raw power of words.
Though he's gone, his words will live on, capturing the spirit of a time and place that was both vibrant and destructive. Gary Indiana, the East Village's lost boy, will never be forgotten.