A text piece in ‘Chloe Dzubilo, The Prince George Drawings’ at Participant Inc. reads: ‘Stronger than life itself @ this point.’ While strength in adversity can seem cliché, Dzubilo’s 2008 work emphasizes necessity over mere inspiration.
Dzubilo’s resilience is evident. The exhibition is named after the Prince George, a subsidized housing complex for individuals with HIV/AIDS, where Dzubilo resided from 2000 until her passing in 2011. Born in Connecticut in 1960, she became a key figure in New York’s East Village art scene upon her 1982 move, performing with Blacklips Performance Cult and the band Transisters. Following her AIDS diagnosis in 1987, she became an advocate for HIV care and transgender rights.
‘The Prince George Drawings’ features works from 2008 to 2011 that chronicle her life as a transgender woman with HIV. The pieces, whether illustrated or purely textual, maintain an intimate tone, as though Dzubilo is personally conversing with us. She tackles personal challenges, such as bedbugs and healthcare experiences, alongside broader societal issues like the stigmatization of trans women and harsh HIV medication side effects.
Although these drawings might seem dated, they were created over two decades after the AIDS crisis began devastating U.S. queer communities, amplifying homophobia and transphobia, and decades after the Stonewall riots. The obstacles Dzubilo faced in 2008 remain relevant today.
‘The Most Inappropriate and Ridiculous Questions’ (2008) lists what not to say to trans women. Co-curator Exx Nottage’s essay discusses the double meaning of ‘passing’—appearing cisgender or healthy, reinforcing stigmas based on normativity.
Dzubilo’s work tackles familiar themes with clarity. One drawing depicts her emergency room experience, where staff used derogatory terms and denied her bathroom access. ‘Untitled (Stop Pathologizing Me)’ (2011) critiques the categorization of trans identities as mental illnesses, a classification only revised in 2017.
Her art criticizes systemic discrimination and highlights the disparity in living conditions and healthcare costs. Dzubilo’s personal narratives challenge viewers to confront the realities of discrimination and living with HIV. Hosting the exhibition at Participant Inc., a supportive nonprofit space, ensures Dzubilo’s legacy is surrounded by care.
