Interview: Artist Eric Rhein

New York-based artist Eric Rhein views his work as something of an ever-evolving, organic memoir. Each of his pieces builds to a whole, tracing back to what came before, connecting to deeply personal experiences.

I had the privilege of interviewing Eric about his new monograph-memoir, "Eric Rhein: Lifelines," a collection of his work that is something of a historical document of the AIDS crisis. It not only tells his own journey living with HIV but also the stories of those he’s known and loved through the intimate photography and artworks he created from 1989 to 2012.

Check out our conversation for Barron's about his life, the book and his recommendations for five other creative memoirs you should explore.

("Lifelines" is available through Artbook / D.A.P., Institute 193 and at retailers like Rizzoli New York and Barnes & Noble.)

photo: Penn Eastburn