Additional information
by Ronald Sosinski (Author)
The United States vs Alfredo Martinez documents the life and work the New York City-based artist notorious for forging the works of artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. He was arrested for wire fraud after selling forged Basquiats and sentenced to time in prison in 2002. During his time in prison, Martinez continued making art using unconventional materials like coffee and fruit juice and his work was even featured in gallery shows. He saw his imprisonment as a "publicity stunt" and an opportunity to make a statement about the art world's valuation of authenticity and money. He even gave a forgery master class as part of The Downtown Biennial where attendees learned how to create a fake Basquiat. Martinez later collaborated with and mentored Anna Delvey (Anna Sorokin), a con artist who had also been imprisoned for defrauding the art world. Martinez curated a show of Delvey's work, and even created some of the pieces himself when she faced prison restrictions. Alfredo Martinez passed away in 2023 at the age of 56. His life and unconventional approach to art cemented his place in New York's underground art scene and earned him a spot in collections like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Rothschild Collection.
Author Biography
Ronald Sosinski is a curator and art world figure, perhaps best known for his role as co-founder and director of the selection committee for the Scope Art Fair (2001-2003). He also runs The Proposition / International Projects, a gallery space and curatorial venture. In 2021, Sosinski curated an exhibition titled "God is Black And She is a Woman" at the Parkview Museum in Singapore, which included works by Derrick Adams, Mickalene Thomas, and Kehinde Wiley. During his time at the Scope Art Fair, Sosinski was instrumental in introducing several artists, including Mickalene Thomas. This played a significant role in her early career, bringing her work to a wider audience within the art world.
