Detroit Artist Jon Strand on WOJNAROWICZ

As promised, some thoughts and take away from one powerful, poignant, and sadly tragic story. However, ultimately the portrait of an artist such as David demonstrates if you’re really real like he was the portrayal captures that artist completely.

As I told Tim Price when I was asked to participate in this panel; “Honey, I lived it”.

It’s been 40 years since the first reports of a “gay disease” began to appear in the media.

After viewing the documentary last evening on my IPAD, when I turned on the television there was a commercial about a HIV drugs that features two spectacularly handsome and well muscled young men. It made me pause....noting the sheer irony of it. I wondered what Wojnarowicz and the 55 men I knew who were taken by the AIDS pandemic would think.

As an old gay artist who knew of Wojnarowicz’s work and activism back then and then to witness such a well done telling of his story, a stunning look at his work and output was satisfying on a deeply emotional level.

Capturing his natural ability to paint and record his life and beliefs throughout the film with the visuals and recordings was, in my opinion, a wonderful way to showcase an artist who was taken way too early.

For me it brought up memories of what it was what like all those years ago. The fear, hatred, bigotry and plain ol stupidity that surrounded both queer art and AIDS. As an artist the attacks on the art itself was difficult enough, but when the specter of death was added to the mix you can readily understand Wojnarowicz’s rage and anger.

While there are similarities between the COVID-19 pandemic and the AIDS pandemic in the public’s response, the fear and disbelief, and the politics involved, that’s where it ends for me at least. Makes you wonder why there wasn’t a Warp speed development of treatments or vaccines back then.....could it be because the first casualties were gay and they deserved it.
Filmmaker Chris McKim deserves kudos for producing such a touching and beautifully loving view of what was, what was lost and the vindication that came with the exhibition of Wojnarowicz’s work in 2018.

This film is must see for everyone gay man and woman, and every artist who is filled with passion about what it means to be one.

Jon Strand