Draft:Brian Weil Draft

Brian Weil is a photographer, activist and writer most well known for his work on the AIDS epidemic and founding the Needle Exchange program in the Bronx.

Early Life
Weil was born in Chicago in 1954 where he attended Columbia College. He started doing photography early in life, finishing his first documentary project at 17.

Career
Weil's first exhibition was in 1980 at the Artists Space. His photography covered many topics from Hasidic jews to sex workers. Weil was most passionate about AIDS and its effect on his city. Although his work is closely tied to his activism, the unrelated pieces received attention as well. Much of his photography was dark and grainy, he used close up angles and harsh lighting extensively. Stamatina Gregory described his photography as: "Weil's AIDS-related photos as well as earlier, freakier projects that profile fringe groups, sex nuts (e.g., an aroused man and a fish tank!), dead people, and boxers. Weil's deep engagement with his subjects should emerge through his characteristic scrim of grainy film."

AIDS activism
He was a member of Act Up, an AIDS activism group. He was active in the group in the 1980's and 1990's.

In 1994, Brian Weil founded the City Wide Needle Exchange program, which gave users access to clean needles in an attempt to prevent blood transmitted diseases He worked with members of Act Up and the World Health Organization.