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SIGNIFICANT LOSSES: ARTISTS WHO HAVE DIED FROM AIDS
Curated by Terry Gips and Brad Spence. Presented at The Art Gallery, University of Maryland
November 2 - December 23, 1994
This exhibition celebrated and commemorated the cultural contributions of artists whose lives were cut short by AIDS, and strove to educate the public about the disease, its impact on society, and ways to slow its spread.

Represented in the exhibition were fifteen artists of local, regional and international acclaim: Carlos Alfonzo, Carlos Almaraz, Andrew Brunelle, Scott Burton, Rotimi Fani-Kayode, David Fincham, Juan Gonzalez, Tony Greene, Keith Haring, Peter Hujar, Douglas Jaeger, Adrian Kellard, Robert Mapplethorpe, Paul Thek, David Wojnarowicz and about 20 children who had received treatment at the HIV Pediatric Clinic at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. Varying widely in ethnicity, religion, age, and sexual orientation, the artists ofSignificant Losses mirror the undiscriminating nature of AIDS.

Among the approximately 50 works were paintings, sculptures, prints, and photographs. The subject matter included portraits, still lifes, landscapes, animals, and abstractions. Many of the pieces expressed the range of emotion which accompanies illness and impending death.

To help understand the artists' work and the disease that influenced their lives, professionals from the fields of art, health, and education helped design educational programs for youth in area schools and for community groups. Students participated in interactive art workshops, and parents and children attended Family Education Days consisting of guided tours as well as workshops and discussion groups. A resource room containing books, articles, magazines, and an interactive educational computer program was located within the exhibition.

In addition to the exhibit, a number of events were held to commemorate artists from other disciplines who have also suffered from AIDS. Many of these events were presented by other departments at the University of Maryland and attracted both campus and community members.

* Fall Dance Concert New Work About AIDS, choreographed by Professor Alvin Mayes * AIDS and the Visual Arts Lecture by Thomas W. Sokolowski, Director, Grey Art Gallery * Undeniable Understandings Readings from the writings and words of the artists in the exhibition, by the students, staff, and faculty of the Department of Theater * Lifting Our Voices on World AIDS Day Campus Observance of World AIDS Day and International Day Without Art * The Way We Live Now Play about the age of AIDS, based on a short story by Susan Sontag, arranged for the stage by Edward Parone. Presented by National Players, resident touring company of the Department of Theater, Ron O'Leary, director * Writers Living with HIV/AIDS Final reading in a series sponsored by the Department of English * The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt Selected panels on display in the West Gallery

FANI KAYODE
From Bodies of Experience
by Fani Kayode

PETER HUJAR
Untitled by Peter Hujar
DAVID WOJNAROWICZ
Subspecies Helms Senatorium
by David Wojnarowicz

ADRIAN KELLARD
Helping Hands, Foolish Hearts
by Adrian Kellard

RICKY, AGE 15
Untitled (What I Think Aids is Like) Ricky, Age 14
CARLOS ALMRAZ
Leopards Don't Cry
by Carlos Almaraz