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Huncke’s Room Used to Launch Artist Elizabeth Peyton’s Career

According to the New Yorker (Oct. 6) in 1993 artist Elizabeth Peyton had a show in room 828 of the Chelsea Hotel.  That was Herbert Huncke’s old room — in fact I thought he was living there then, but if that Ep_reading_selfportraitelizabethpey is correct the show must have taken place before he moved in.  Most recently the room was home to Elizabeth Pugh, who was unfortunately forced out by BD.  Now 828 is a transient room, since — on a death-knell to Bohemia — no new permanent residents are being admitted to the hotel.
    If I read the article correctly, Peyton wasn’t actually living in 828 (maybe Huncke loaned it to her) but just displayed her paintings three, in the show that launched her career.
     Interested parties could ask for the key at the desk, and then go on up to the room themselves.  You’d better believe that nothing that cool and anarchic is goingn to be allowed here these days.  Bring Back the Bards!  — Ed Hamilton  (Thanks to Judith Childs for the tip.)

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4 responses to “Huncke’s Room Used to Launch Artist Elizabeth Peyton’s Career”

  1. Elizabeth Pugh Avatar
    Elizabeth Pugh

    hi everyone,
    i was not forced out by BD. i chose to leave the chelsea.
    when i moved into #828 i would hear a banging coming around that curve in the hall. i would look out and noone would be there. every night the same clumsy banging. i heard that herbert had lived in my room. it hit me ‘i think it’s his ghost.’ one night i heard the clamoring — i opened my door and said very politely’ hi, my name is elizabeth and i live here now and you can go to where you need to go now. you don’t need to come her anymore.’ it felt 100% normal in the chelsea world of normal that i was talking to an empty hallway. i just couldn’t deal with that noise and getting out of bed to see who was at my door and noone would be there.
    I never heard the noises again.

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  2. Miss H Avatar
    Miss H

    Herbert moved into the hotel after that show. IIRC, he moved in to the Chelsea in late 1994 and stayed until August 1996 when he died.

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  3. Student Lettings York Avatar
    Student Lettings York

    Nice post.By reading your post I came to know some information about Chelsea hotel.Only #828 room is famous right? Is there any other special room in that hotel?

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  4. Krista Avatar
    Krista

    Wow. I stayed in Room #828 last week and have been really curious about it ever since. During my stay, I barely slept a wink, and kept hearing loud banging noises in the curved hallway outside my door in the middle of the night. There were no voices going along with these noises, and I got pretty creeped out.
    I don’t know whether to be creeped out or comforted from reading your similar story!

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