Stephen Tashjian, a.k.a. Tabboo!

That outfit is certainly "Tabboo" 🙄

Pyramid, Mars, Wigstock, downtown, etc. I remember seeing him perform numerous times. Sardonic, weird, sick and hilarious. Good for him!

Back in the day we called his act, “depression chic.”

Now that’s how you do old-school 80’s gay kitsch, Miss Musto!

Exactly R4. At least his home isn't depressing though certainly cluttered and true to his racines. Times did a better story on Taboo's painting. They are lovely.

So happy for him!!

He obviously dusted for this profile. He was veering into “Quentin Crisp” territory, housekeeping wise…..

Good for him. I would venture to say he dusted more than his furniture, R7.

Stephen has lived in the same rent-controlled apartment in the East Village for forty or more years. We've been friends for over thirty of them. He can be quite nutty, but warm, funny and a sweet guy. I think his work is singular and excellent!

He has had periods of true success and has always gotten by as an artist, I think if you can say that you are a big success. People like Quincy Jones and Elton John have bought his paintings, that's pretty good.

I've met him a few times. I'm nothing special and as old as he is (i.e. not a young twink although I was one in my 20s) and he was invariably attentive and kind. More than polite. In the short interactions I could tell this a good person.