BOOK REVIEW: Brush Fires in the Social Landscape: David Wojnarowicz

Book Review

Brush Fires in the Social Landscape

Photobook

David Wojnarowicz

David Wojnarowicz’s use of photography, writing and painting, was extraordinary. He was a fresh brash and multitalented artist and brought his furious and bright brain to bear on life as a gay man in the sudden and terrible crisis that hit gay culture following HIV. Brush Fires is the only book that features the breadth of Wojnarowiczs work with photography.

He addresed the AIDS crisis, censorship and homophobia. Brush Fires begun in collaboration with the artist before his death in 1992 and first published in 1994, engaged what Wojnarowicz would refer to as his “tribe” or community. Contributors—from artist and writer friends such as Karen Finley, Kiki Smith, C. Carr and to David Cole, the lawyer who represented him in his case against the American Family Association—together offer a compelling, provocative understanding of the artist and his work.

See some images from Wojnarowicz here

David Wojnarowicz ‘s artwork is in numerous private and public collections, including the Museum of Modern Art , New York; Los Angeles . In addition to his artwork, Wojnarowicz attained national North American prominence as a writer and advocate for AIDS awareness, and for his stance against censorship. He died from AIDS in 1992.

Now, on the twentieth anniversary of Brush Fires, when interest in the artist’s work has increased, this redesigned edition puts the work in front of an audience all over again while maintaining the integrity of the original. Through the lens of various contributors, this full colour hard back book addresses Wojnarowicz’s profound legacy: the relentless censorship and ethical issues, alongside his aesthetic brilliance, courage and influence. The book is as important and inspiration now as it was twenty years ago.