University Galleries of Illinois State University organized David Wojnarowicz: Tongues of Flame,—an exhibition curated by Barry Blinderman— in 1990. Today, University Galleries maintains an archive of exhibition photos, press, and publications (a catalog excerpt and exhibition poster) on their website.
David’s performance kicking off the exhibition was met with an enthusiastic crowd of 700 people. He worked closely with Blinderman on creation of the show, published three prints with Normal Editions Workshop and created some of his last major paintings and photographs in a studio he rented in the area. The exhibition was not without controversy and led to David’s successful legal battle against American Family Association for defaming his work.
