Notable Figures in the Art World Who Passed Away in 2025
As the end of the year approaches, we take a moment to honor those we have lost. Among these influential figures are:
– **David Lynch** (b. 1946): A multi-hyphenate filmmaker and artist, Lynch transformed cinema with his unique style, contributing significantly to horror, surrealism, and melodrama through films like “Blue Velvet” and “Mulholland Drive”.
– **Jo Baer** (b. 1929): Initially a key figure in the Minimalism art movement, Baer later embraced more experimental and figurative forms, known for her candid writing and defense of painting.
– **Jaune Quick-to-See Smith** (b. 1940): An Indigenous artist whose work spanned painting, sculpture, and other media, blending humor with sociopolitical commentary to address Native American life.
– **Alonzo Davis** (b. 1942): Co-founder of Los Angeles’s first major Black-owned contemporary gallery and a promoter of Black American art through his diverse artistic and cultural endeavors.
– **Mel Bochner** (b. 1940): A pioneer in conceptual art, using language as a medium to explore themes of perception, language, and mathematics in art.
– **Dorgham Qreiqea** (b. 1997): A Palestinian artist dedicated to community arts who was tragically killed in an airstrike. His murals and paintings were a testament to his commitment to empowering others.
– **Nona Faustine** (b. 1977): Known for her profound photographic work addressing racial and gender identities, highlighted by her “White Shoes” self-portrait series.
– **Max Kozloff** (b. 1933): A notable art critic whose writings provided insight into postwar and modern art, emphasizing political contexts.
– **Dara Birnbaum** (b. 1946): Video art innovator, known for recontextualizing popular culture and media to question information dissemination.
– **Matthew Courtney** (b. 1959): A downtown NYC artist and important community figure, he supported emerging talent through platforms like ABC No Rio.
– **Koyo Kouoh** (b. 1967): A Cameroonian curator and visionary who nearly became the first African woman to direct the Venice Biennale, remembered for her role at MOCAA.
– **Daniel Lelong** (b. 1933): Renowned art dealer and co-founder of Galerie Lelong, contributed significantly to the careers and scholarly documentation of artists like Miró and Bacon.
– **Joel Shapiro** (b. 1941): Known for emotive sculpture transcending Minimalism, his impactful art symbolized figures in dynamic forms.
– **Raymond Saunders** (b. 1934): A respected Bay Area artist, his distinctive use of blackboard surfaces explored racial and personal identity themes.
– **Agnes Gund** (b. 1938): A pivotal figure in arts advocacy and philanthropy, promoting arts education and social justice through initiatives like the Art for Justice Fund.
– **Frank Wimberley** (b. 1926): An abstract expressionist and prominent figure in various art movements, known for his experimental and impactful works.
– **Carla Stellweg** (b. 1942): A curator and advocate for Latin American art, instrumental in reshaping Mexican contemporary art and challenging institutional norms.
– **Jackie Ferrara** (b. 1929): A sculptor whose geometric works echoed her life experiences, intertwining precision and unpredictability.
– **Alison Knowles** (b. 1933): A Fluxus co-founder, her work expanded art forms and emphasized art as an experiential, lived phenomenon.
– **Frank Gehry** (b. 1929): Revolutionary architect, his designs like the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao redefined the interaction between buildings and their urban surroundings.
Each of these individuals has left an indelible mark on their respective fields, propelling cultural and artistic transformations that will resonate for years to come. As we move forward, we remember their contributions and carry their legacies with us.