collection of David Wilson

The Harvest

(Graphite and acrylic on Arches watercolor paper)

In the year 1982 I lost to AIDS sixteen friends and acquaintances.

Many more followed in the years to come.

This sort of event was shared by far too many of us

as we watched thousands of our best and brightest

wither away and die.

In the early days it was the policy of the Church

to maintain a “hands-off attitude” with regard to this devastation,

stopping short of suggesting the disease was a punishment from God

for what they had labeled “deviant” or “sinful” behavior.

Years later, after much pressure from both inside and outside of the institution,

the Church softened its position

Support has since been shown for the victims of this plague.

At the time this painting was executed the policy had not yet been softened. 

This painting shows victims of AIDS

riding toward their life’s end

on the back of the nightmare of the Church’s early policy.