David Wojnarowicz

David Wojnarowicz (1954-1992) was an American artist, writer, and prominent AIDS activist, whose work addresses themes of marginalization, sexuality, and political dissent. Born in New Jersey, Wojnarowicz emerged from the New York City East Village art scene in the 1980s. His art, encompassing painting, photography, writing, film, and performance, is notable for its raw, visceral intensity and its unflinching engagement with personal and societal struggles. Wojnarowicz's work often explored his experiences as a gay man in the midst of the AIDS crisis, witnessing the painful deaths of many of his friends including his lover and mentor Peter Hujar while using a combination of symbolic and autobiographical elements to critique social and political injustices. Despite his premature death, Wojnarowicz left a lasting impact on the art world and LGBTQ+ activism.