ARTWORK

Jack Smith, Jose Rafael Arango, Charles Ludlam
Untitled (with Jose Rafael Arango and Charles Ludlam)

c. 1969

“Credit photo to Jack Smith” written in Jose Rafael Arango’s hand, verso

Vintage gelatin silver print

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Jose Rafael Arango was an actor with Charles Ludam’s Ridiculous Theater Company, a Warhol associate, and a familiar figure of the village underground. Arango was the muse of many downtown artists, and appeared in numerous Peter Hujar photographs. The performance for this photograph is undocumented—however, it likely depicts Arango rehearsing with the cast of “Turds in Hell.” Arango was later replaced by Candy Darling before the play debuted due to a conflict with his job as an airline “stewardess.” This Jack Smith photograph comes from Arango’s estate.

G.E.

Work by Jack Smith (1932-1989)