Skip to main content

David Wojnarowicz Paintings

American, 1954-1992

David Wojnarowicz was an author, poet, photographer, musician, filmmaker and painter whose work as an AIDS activist influenced his visionary and revolutionary art. Personal experiences of disenfranchisement and the stories of people he met living on the margins of society informed the narratives of his work, with identity, sexuality and a bristling against political structures all contributing to its visceral edge. Wojnarowicz unapologetically channeled his anger at the injustices exacted on minorities and alternative lifestyles through repressive governments and financial systems into his paintings, prints, collages and photography.

Wojnarowicz was born in Red Bank, New Jersey, in 1954. He had a tumultuous childhood, dropping out of high school and living on the streets by the time he was 16. He spent much of his youth hitchhiking, spending time in San Francisco and then Paris.

Wojnarowicz moved to New York’s East Village in 1978, where he began exhibiting his art, which he frequently made from found materials. He became a central figure in the culture wars of the 1980s and 1990s, refusing to censor his work, which often forthrightly reflected his queer sexuality and his fury at the conservative establishment. Particularly after the death of his lover Peter Hujar in 1987, he concentrated on the government’s political inaction during the AIDS crisis. As he wrote in his 1991 memoir, Close to the Knives, “To make the private into something public is an action that has terrific repercussions.”

Wojnarowicz died in 1992 from complications due to AIDS. His art is in major collections around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Tate Modern and the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art, which has championed LGBTQ+ artists such as Wojnarowicz for decades. In 2018, the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York held a retrospective of his work. 

Find David Wojnarowicz mixed media works, paintings, photography and other art on 1stDibs.

1
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
6
762
756
754
578
2
Artist: David Wojnarowicz
Falling Man and Statue of Liberty

Falling Man and Statue of Liberty

By David Wojnarowicz

Located in New York, NY

Collaboration between David Wojnarowicz and Jane Bauman Contact gallery for price. This work is offered by ClampArt in New York City.

Category

1980s Street Art David Wojnarowicz Paintings

Materials

Paper, Spray Paint

Trial Run of "Burning House"

Trial Run of "Burning House"

By David Wojnarowicz

Located in New York, NY

Spray paint on paper Contact gallery for price This work is offered by ClampArt in New York City.

Category

1980s Contemporary David Wojnarowicz Paintings

Materials

Paper, Spray Paint

Related Items
Mixed Media on Woven Fabriano Painting "Feminin Reign"

Mixed Media on Woven Fabriano Painting "Feminin Reign"

By Anushka Kempken

Located in Cape Town, ZA

This unique artwork is created through interweaving and twisting strips of painted fabriano paper in order to create a complex composition with depth and texture. The artwork is fram...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Wojnarowicz Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

Lover (3/14) - Figurative Pink Pin Up Cowgirl Western Mixed Media Art on Paper
Lover (3/14) - Figurative Pink Pin Up Cowgirl Western Mixed Media Art on Paper

Lover (3/14) - Figurative Pink Pin Up Cowgirl Western Mixed Media Art on Paper

By Jesse Black

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Jesse’s imagery often merges playful and gritty elements, blending floral patterns, vintage-inspired designs, and bold outlines with a touch of whimsy. His artwork exudes a sense of ...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Wojnarowicz Paintings

Materials

Paint, Paper, Mixed Media, Spray Paint, Acrylic, Permanent Marker

"Make Believer (V3)", Hand cut stencil, acrylic, aerosol
"Make Believer (V3)", Hand cut stencil, acrylic, aerosol

"Make Believer (V3)", Hand cut stencil, acrylic, aerosol

By Mando Marie (seeyouthroughit)

Located in Philadelphia, PA

"Make Believer (V3)" is a one-of-a-kind original work by Amanda Marie (Mando), created using acrylic and aerosol on paper. The piece measures 19.75 × 15.75 inches and is pencil signe...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary David Wojnarowicz Paintings

Materials

Paper, Spray Paint, Acrylic

Surreal Island Painting on Reclaimed Wood Panel With Gold Leaf and Texture
Surreal Island Painting on Reclaimed Wood Panel With Gold Leaf and Texture

Surreal Island Painting on Reclaimed Wood Panel With Gold Leaf and Texture

By Gozo

Located in FISTERRA, ES

Surreal island painting on reclaimed wood panel with gold leaf, textured surface and luminous blue-green palette. This mixed media island painting is executed on a reclaimed wood pa...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Wojnarowicz Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

"Crossing Paths", girls at a crossroad, hand-cut stencils and spray paint
"Crossing Paths", girls at a crossroad, hand-cut stencils and spray paint

"Crossing Paths", girls at a crossroad, hand-cut stencils and spray paint

By Mando Marie (seeyouthroughit)

Located in Philadelphia, PA

"Crossing Paths" is a one-of-a-kind original work by Amanda Marie (Mando), created using acrylic and aerosol on paper. The piece measures 19.75 × 15.75 inches and is pencil signed an...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary David Wojnarowicz Paintings

Materials

Spray Paint, Acrylic, Paper

Bomber Babe (1/2) - Colorful Figurative Cowgirl Pin-up Inspired Artwork on Paper
Bomber Babe (1/2) - Colorful Figurative Cowgirl Pin-up Inspired Artwork on Paper

Bomber Babe (1/2) - Colorful Figurative Cowgirl Pin-up Inspired Artwork on Paper

By Jesse Black

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Jesse’s imagery often merges playful and gritty elements, blending floral patterns, vintage-inspired designs, and bold outlines with a touch of whimsy. His artwork exudes a sense of ...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Wojnarowicz Paintings

Materials

Paint, Paper, Mixed Media, Spray Paint, Acrylic, Other Medium

Revenge - Playful Figurative Pin Up Cowgirl Western Mixed Media Art on Paper
Revenge - Playful Figurative Pin Up Cowgirl Western Mixed Media Art on Paper

Revenge - Playful Figurative Pin Up Cowgirl Western Mixed Media Art on Paper

By Jesse Black

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Jesse’s imagery often merges playful and gritty elements, blending floral patterns, vintage-inspired designs, and bold outlines with a touch of whimsy. His artwork exudes a sense of ...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Wojnarowicz Paintings

Materials

Paint, Paper, Mixed Media, Spray Paint, Acrylic, Permanent Marker

"Could Be Good", Hand cut stencil, vintage imagery acrylic and aerosol by Mando
"Could Be Good", Hand cut stencil, vintage imagery acrylic and aerosol by Mando

"Could Be Good", Hand cut stencil, vintage imagery acrylic and aerosol by Mando

By Mando Marie (seeyouthroughit)

Located in Philadelphia, PA

"Could Be Good" is a one-of-a-kind original work by Amanda Marie (Mando), created using acrylic and aerosol on paper. The piece measures 19.75 × 27.75 inches and is pencil signed and...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary David Wojnarowicz Paintings

Materials

Paper, Spray Paint, Acrylic

Lover 5 - Original Pink Figurative Cowgirl Pop Art Painting on Paper
Lover 5 - Original Pink Figurative Cowgirl Pop Art Painting on Paper

Lover 5 - Original Pink Figurative Cowgirl Pop Art Painting on Paper

By Jesse Black

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Jesse’s imagery often merges playful and gritty elements, blending floral patterns, vintage-inspired designs, and bold outlines with a touch of whimsy. His artwork exudes a sense of ...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Wojnarowicz Paintings

Materials

Paint, Paper, Mixed Media, Spray Paint, Acrylic, Other Medium

Everyday Life Screen Print on Paper, Stencil & Spray Paint, 2017
Everyday Life Screen Print on Paper, Stencil & Spray Paint, 2017

Everyday Life Screen Print on Paper, Stencil & Spray Paint, 2017

By Mr. Brainwash

Located in Aventura, FL

Screen print with stencil, acrylic and spray paint on wove paper. Hand signed on front; signed and dated on verso with studio catalog number and thumbprint. Artwork size: 30 x 22 ...

Category

2010s Street Art David Wojnarowicz Paintings

Materials

Paper, Spray Paint, Acrylic, Screen, Stencil

Love Hurts - Colorful Figurative Pin Up Cowgirl Western Mixed Media Art on Paper
Love Hurts - Colorful Figurative Pin Up Cowgirl Western Mixed Media Art on Paper

Love Hurts - Colorful Figurative Pin Up Cowgirl Western Mixed Media Art on Paper

By Jesse Black

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Jesse’s imagery often merges playful and gritty elements, blending floral patterns, vintage-inspired designs, and bold outlines with a touch of whimsy. His artwork exudes a sense of ...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Wojnarowicz Paintings

Materials

Paint, Paper, Mixed Media, Spray Paint, Acrylic, Permanent Marker

Lover 14 - Pink Figurative Cowgirl Cupid Love Inspired Artwork on Paper
Lover 14 - Pink Figurative Cowgirl Cupid Love Inspired Artwork on Paper

Lover 14 - Pink Figurative Cowgirl Cupid Love Inspired Artwork on Paper

By Jesse Black

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Jesse’s imagery often merges playful and gritty elements, blending floral patterns, vintage-inspired designs, and bold outlines with a touch of whimsy. His artwork exudes a sense of ...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Wojnarowicz Paintings

Materials

Paint, Paper, Mixed Media, Spray Paint, Acrylic, Other Medium

David Wojnarowicz paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic David Wojnarowicz paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by David Wojnarowicz in paint, paper, spray paint and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 1980s and is mostly associated with the street art style. Not every interior allows for large David Wojnarowicz paintings, so small editions measuring 10 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Jane Bauman, Shepard Fairey, and Alex Reagan.