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Article: Dying artist turned death into art: Despite AIDS, he was trying to finish his massive photo exhibit
- Article from:
- Chicago Sun-Times
- Article date:
- October 19, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2005 Chicago Sun-Times. (Hide copyright information)
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JOE CONLON 1962-2005
Joe Conlon didn't care much about selling his art.
What consumed the slim, hazel-eyed artist for the last six years
was finishing the most ambitious and personal project of his career -
- a mixed-media exhibit called "101 Talismans for a Happy Death."
For Mr. Conlon, who was infected with HIV in 1984, the project,
which depicted stylized death scenes in photographs and video
vignettes, was a way for him to face his own impending death.
It was an intense subject matter to tackle, but Mr. Conlon
"wouldn't let himself get too serious," said his partner of 15 years,
William Cordero.
"We were dealing with death in our personal life. Going to the
doctor and being ...