New Book Explores Complex Rivalry Between Artists Peter Hujar and Paul Thek

Andrew Durbin's book 'The Wonderful World That Almost Was,' published April 14, examines the intricate relationship between photographers Peter Hujar and sculptor Paul Thek. The two artists met in their twenties, becoming lovers, brothers, and eventually bitter rivals before their deaths nine months apart from AIDS complications. Durbin's research draws on diaries, letters, and interviews, highlighting the competitive dynamic that defined their connection. A companion exhibition, 'How Beautiful This Living Thing Is,' curated by Durbin at New York's Ortuzar gallery from April 23 to May 30, features work by eight of Hujar's peers. The show aims to reveal the painterly quality of Hujar's photography, distinct from his 1986 Gracie Mansion Gallery exhibition. Key women in their lives, including Ann Wilson, Linda Rosenkrantz, Sheyla Baykal, and Fran Lebowitz, play significant roles in the narrative. Hujar's 1973 photograph 'Candy Darling on Her Deathbed' sold for $50,000 at Christie's in 2015, double its estimate, signaling his posthumous resurgence. The Morgan Library & Museum in New York will open a show in May offering an unprecedented look into Hujar's practice. Joseph Raffael, who introduced Hujar and Thek, is featured in the Ortuzar exhibition with three early works. Durbin emphasizes making this history accessible without jargon, focusing on the fluid, undefined nature of their queer relationship in a pre-Stonewall era.