In Memoriam is published every Wednesday afternoon and honors those we recently lost in the art world.
Frayda Feldman (1938–2026)
New York gallerist and Andy Warhol print expert
The longtime gallerist and progressive advocate exhibited work by over 1,000 artists during her directorship of Ronald Feldman Fine Arts, which she co-founded with her husband in 1970. She mentored countless arts professionals, collectors, and staff and served as an editor of the Andy Warhol Prints catalogue raisonné, now in its fourth edition. In the 1980s, Warhol collaborated with her and Ronald on publishing multiple print series, including Ads (1985) and Moonwalk (1987).
Inga Brūvere (1963–2026)
Latvian curator and painter
The artist-turned-curator was one of the leading voices in Latvia’s art scene, serving as a member of the State Cultural Capital Foundation council and co-founding the Latvian Association of Contemporary Art Festivals. In 2016, she co-founded the Riga Photography Biennial — whose latest edition opened in April, just before her passing.
Wulf Herzogenrath (1944–2026)
German curator
The curator and former Kunsthalle Bremen director was an early, devoted champion of video art. He organized the video art section at Documenta 6 in 1977, curated Nam June Paik’s first solo exhibition in Europe in 1976 at the Kölnischer Kunstverein, and held roles at the Cologne Art Association and the Nationalgalerie Berlin, among other institutions.
Charles Hinman (1932–2026)
New York painter and sculptor
Best known for his shaped canvases, the abstract artist spent decades pushing the boundaries of Minimalism and perception. He imbued his work with a hard-edge sensibility and geometric style that earned him a spot in the Whitney Museum’s watershed exhibition Young America in 1965. His works are held by the Whitney as well as the Museum of Modern Art, the Rockefeller Collection, and the Albright-Knox Gallery.
Jane Stephenson (1936–2026)
Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts co-founder
The luminary arts leader spent three decades directing the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts, a crucial studio, programming, and exhibition space in Manhattan that she founded with her son in 1992. Before settling in New York City, she ran a summer theater company in Illinois, taught costume design at the University of New Mexico, and founded a clothing design wholesaler in Pakistan.
Melodee Strong (1973–2026)
Minneapolis muralist
The beloved Peruvian-American artist and educator left her mark across Minnesota with over 50 colorful, bold murals that celebrate diversity and community, often painted in collaboration with local students. She previously taught at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, her alma mater, and complemented her mural work by working as an illustrator and children’s book author.
James Wagner (1940–2026)
New York collector
Remembered by friends and loved ones as a committed connoisseur with an infectious curiosity, Wagner was a pillar of the Brooklyn art community. Together with his partner, Barry Hoggard, he spent decades amassing a collection of over 1,500 artworks. He played a crucial role as a supporting member of ACT UP during the HIV/AIDS epidemic, fiercely championed and supported dozens of artists across New York City, and, even into his final days, delighted in the company of others.
