Mary Boone, a famous New York art dealer, may have been released from prison five years ago, but she seems ready to make a comeback now.
Last week, Lévy Gorvy Dayan and Boone organized the exhibition “Downtown of the Eighties/New York” which was named after her as an outstanding dealer in the Soho art world at that time. She is known for delivering key performances to Jean-Michel Basquiat, Ross Bleckner, Keith Haring and Julian Schnabel, all of whom make their debut in the new exhibition.
Before the opening, Boone and New York Magazine – famously called her the “Queen of Art” of the cover story in 1982. Wearing the same Norma Kamali dress she wore for it New York Guy shoots, Boone finally talks about her time in prison. (In 2019, she closed her gallery, was sentenced to evade taxes and sentenced to 30 months in prison. She received 13 months after her early release during the 2020 Covid pandemic.) She seems to describe it as an interesting accommodation.
“To be honest, I have to go to the gym every day. I read every day. It’s relaxing,” she added. “I met some very interesting women that I probably wouldn’t have met.”
As for who gives her some advice before convicting? Apart from Martha Stewart, this is another number unlikely to be sent to prison for white-collar crimes – five months of hindering justice related to insider trading in 2004. Boone said she didn’t listen to Stewart’s advice at the time, but maybe she did it later. Boone asked Danbury for corrections and Stewart asked for her prison time. (Stuart was denied the request and was taken to a West Virginia prison.)
Like Stewart, Boone seemed to bounce back from prison very quickly. She told New YorkCarrie Battan said she reselled the artwork shortly after her release and 2022 was her best year. “People stay home and look at their houses and think, I need something that walled up.”
