Joe: A Memoir of Joe Brainard

A memoir by Ron Padgett October 1, 2004 • 6 x 9 • 360 pages • 978-1-56689-159-2 Ron Padgett remembers the life and times of his friend, the brilliant artist and writer Joe Brainard. Ron Padgett’s warm, conversational memoir is the unlikely and true story of two childhood friends, one straight and one gay, who grew up in 1950s Oklahoma, surprised their families by moving to New York City in search of art and poetry, and became part of a dynamic community of artists and writers whose work continues to shape American culture. Much of this intimate memoir is told in Brainard’s own direct and unforgettable voice. Dozens of letters, journal entries, poems, photographs, and artworks create a stirring portrait of the times and remind us that love, life, and art matter every second. About the Author Ron Padgett grew up in Tulsa and has lived mostly in New York City since 1960. Among his many honors are a Guggenheim Fellowship, the American Academy of Arts and Letters poetry award, the Shelley M