Arthur Rimbaud in New York 1978 - 1979

This black and white photograph, Arthur Rimbaud in New York, was made by David Wojnarowicz, who was so brilliant at merging art and life. The figure of Rimbaud is like a ghost, superimposed against the gritty landscape of Coney Island. I can imagine Wojnarowicz thinking about the parallels between Rimbaud's rebellious spirit and his own experiences as a queer artist in the 1980s. Did he feel like an outsider too, like Rimbaud? Probably! I love how the stark contrast emphasizes a sense of alienation, maybe even a little bit of loneliness. It’s just like when I’m painting and trying to capture a feeling. You keep layering and scraping away until something real emerges. And, hey, this photo totally reminds me of other artists who play with identity and place, like Cindy Sherman or Nan Goldin.