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DAVID WOJNAROWICZ/ANDREAS STERZING
David Wojnarowicz (Silence = Death), New York.
Photostat, the image measuring 235x177.8 mm.; 9¼x7 inches, the sheet 279.4x216 mm.; 11x8½ inches, flush mounted to a sheet of paper. 1989.

[1,000/1,500]

From the estate of Brian Butterick.

This iconic image of David Wojnarowicz depicted with his mouth sewn shut is from a performance by Wojnarowicz that was included in the documenatry film by Rosa von Praunheim "Silence = Death" (1990). Wojnarowicz’s actions re-iterate the "Silence=Death" motto, which was used by ACT UP, while also visually expressing Wojnarowicz's feelings of being silenced by politicians and society as an AIDS activist and member of the queer community. Of voicing his beliefs, Wojnarowicz stated, “I think what I really fear about death is the silencing of my voice. I feel this incredible pressure to leave something of myself behind."