You can take the punk out of art school, but you can't take art school out of the punk -- even if he's been away from the darn place for more than a quarter-century. For evidence, look no further than Richard Hell, who seems to have traded his sneering stage yelp for, well, a sneering paintbrush and a yelping word processor -- the output of which will go on display next week at a New York gallery.

Hell, whose often pseudonymous books of poetry have long been the rage among a certain stripe of downtown hipster, will mount a one-man show at the Rupert Goldsworth Gallery on Manhattan's West Side. On display will be photos, line drawings and works of prose, including a preview of his latest book, Hot and Cold.

One of many self-proclaimed inventors of punk rock, Hell is probably best-known for his classic "Blank Generation" -- which, ironically enough, was cribbed directly from a 1950s single by Rod McKuen, an artist who wouldn't seem to have had much impact on him otherwise. In addition, the former Richie Myers is likely the only living human to have survived relationships with both punk poetess Patti Smith and new-wave warrior Patti Smyth.

Hell's solo exhibit will be on display at the gallery -- located at 453 West 17th St. in Manhattan's Chelsea district -- from October 14 through November 14.

DAVID SPRAGUE