Gordon Stokes Kurtti

(May 4, 1960 - April 18, 1987) was an American artist, writer, illustrator and performer and a seminal figure in the early East Village art scene of New York City. He is best known for his finely drawn caricatures of celebrities and historical figures and for his Dickensian portrayals of children and New Yorkers of every ilk. Gordon was a member of Allied Productions, a not-for-profit arts organization based in New York City, and collaborated on many performances, films and arts in education workshops. He exhibited at ABC No Rio, Armageddon, The Pyramid Club, 8BC and Life Café. Gordon Kurtti died of AIDS related illnesses at the age of 26.