David Wojnarowicz, a multifaceted individual, gained recognition for his writing, art, and AIDS activism, as well as his brief acting career.
Born in 1954 in Red Bank, New Jersey, David's early life was marked by a tumultuous family environment, where his father subjected him and his family to physical and emotional abuse.
By the age of 16, David had left home and moved to New York City, where he turned to prostitution and intravenous drug use to survive.
Throughout his life, David was drawn to the streets, often hitchhiking across the United States and living in various cities, including San Francisco and Paris.
In New York City, David began gathering monologues from marginalized individuals, including homeless people, sex workers, and drug addicts, which he later published in his book "Sounds in the Distance" (1982).
David's artistic circle included fellow artists Joe Coleman, Andreas Cerano, Lydia Lunch, Nick Zedd, and Richard Kern, with whom he collaborated on various projects, including the films "Manhattan Love Suicides" (1985) and "You Killed Me First" (1985).
As his artistic career took off, David continued to face financial struggles, living hand to mouth until a favorable review in the Village Voice brought him unexpected success.
Around this time, David met French-Moroccan artist Marion Scemama, who had been sent to interview him for the French magazine ICI New York.
David's work during this period included "Weight of the Earth, Parts I and II" (1988),a collection of black and white photographs documenting his travels and life in New York City.
However, David's life was soon overshadowed by the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS, which ravaged the New York art scene and claimed the lives of many prominent artists, including Keith Haring.
David's work became increasingly turbulent, acerbic, and political, as he lashed out at the Reagan administration's lack of funding for medical research and the National Endowment for the Arts.
David also sued the American Family Association of Tupelo, Mississippi for misrepresenting his work and damaging his reputation, and won.
Throughout his illness, David struggled with the side effects of AZT and fought to avoid eviction from his apartment.
David Wojnarowicz eventually succumbed to complications of AIDS in 1992.
