Every Wednesday afternoon, we commemorate those who have recently passed in the art world through our In Memoriam series.
Calvin Tomkins (1925–2026), a revered art writer, worked at the New Yorker for over six decades, crafting sophisticated and memorable profiles of artists such as Marcel Duchamp, Robert Rauschenberg, and Jean Tinguely. Known for his clear and jargon-free writing, Tomkins once expressed his process as simply writing about what intrigued him. His extensive bibliography includes books on postmodern art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, with notable works like ‘Living Well Is the Best Revenge’ and the six-volume ‘The Lives of Artists,’ compiling 82 artist profiles, earning him the title of the modern-day Vasari.
In his later years, at the age of 99, Tomkins began a journal, acknowledging the challenges posed by his declining memory and eyesight, yet choosing to forgo a life of leisure. He reflected on this period, writing about his preference to remain engaged in his work.
Other notable figures we remember include Brad Bucher, an art collector and patron in Houston, and Philip Castle, a British airbrush artist known for iconic works like the ‘A Clockwork Orange’ poster. Thomas Gentille was celebrated for his minimalist jewelry creations, while Charlotte Gere authored numerous scholarly books on jewelry and art movements.
Agosto Machado, a pivotal figure in the 1960s New York City art scene, was involved in the Stonewall uprising and supported many artists during the AIDS crisis. His contributions are currently featured in the 2026 Whitney Biennial. Rhoda Roberts, an Australian arts administrator, played a significant role in promoting Indigenous Australian culture globally, notably through the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games opening ceremony.
We also honor the lives and contributions of Marica Vilcek, an art historian and philanthropist; Desmond Williams, a prominent architect of Modernist churches; and several other luminaries who have left an indelible mark on the art world.
