Although Hujar is now recognized posthumously as “one of the major American photographers of the late twentieth century,” and “among the greatest American photographers” during his lifetime his impressive body of work that so perfectly reflected NY queer life of the period received little acclaim.
At one time in his life Hujar met the writer, filmmaker, and artist David Wojnarowicz and after a brief period as his lover, Wojnarowicz became his protégé and they both influenced each other’s work.. Both men were also strident AIDS activists which also was the cause of their deaths, Hujar in 1987 aged just 53, and Wojnarowicz in 1992 aged 37.
