Each Wednesday, we pay tribute to individuals recently lost in the art community through our In Memoriam section.
Ted Berger (1940–2026), who led the New York Foundation for the Arts, managed to allocate close to $23 million in grants since his 1973 tenure began, advocating for arts education in schools. He supported artists who are now widely recognized, such as Meredith Monk and Spike Lee. Christa Blatchford of the Joan Mitchell Foundation praised him, stating, ‘Ted was a remarkable force for artists.’ Berger served on their board for over ten years.
Jerry McMillan (1936–2026), a Los Angeles photographer, was a trailblazer in ‘photo-sculpture’ and captured the city’s contemporary art evolution. Andrew Perchuck from the Getty Research Institute highlighted McMillan’s impact, noting, ‘So much of what we know about the LA art scene in that era is from Jerry’s photos.’
Uladzimir Akulau (1954–2026), a noted Belarusian avant-garde artist, was active in Minsk and Slutsk art circles. His creations are part of the National Center for Contemporary Arts in Minsk and various private collections globally.
Ann Harnwell Ashmead (1929–2026) was a classical archaeology researcher with expertise in Greek vase painting and ancient ceramics, previously curating at Bryn Mawr College’s Ella Riegel Memorial Museum. Pete Felten (1933–2026), a self-taught sculptor, left his mark across Kansas, his works displayed in the Capitol Building and numerous other locations. He also ran a gallery and studio in Hays.
Maltese artist and philanthropist Philip Farrugia (1949–2026), known for his watercolors and writings on J.M.W. Turner and Caravaggio, was instrumental in the cultural sphere as chairman of Public Broadcasting and the National Book Council in Malta. Iqbal Hussain (1950–2026), a painter from Lahore, portrayed everyday life in Heera Mandi, sometimes stirring controversy with his work. He was also a teacher at the National College of Arts.
Jon Kudelka (1972–2026), an Australian political cartoonist, began his career at a young age and spent over three decades critiquing governmental and anti-science stances. Opila Rabha (d. 2026), an Indian textile artist, played a critical role in preserving the Rabha community’s clothing traditions.
Hudson Talbott (1949–2026) authored and illustrated over 20 children’s books, touching on diverse topics like the Holocaust and Thomas Cole. His work reached audiences through adaptations in film and theater. Christopher White (1930–2026), a British scholar, directed the Ashmolean Museum and authored a respected book on Rembrandt, contributing to institutions like the British Museum and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.
