Editor’s Note: This article includes discussions of self-harm. If you or someone you know needs support, please contact 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Every Wednesday afternoon, In Memoriam celebrates the lives of those recently departed from the art community.
Pearl Fryar (1939–2026), known as the ‘Picasso of Plants,’ was a self-taught artist who turned a South Carolina cornfield into a celebrated garden and American landmark. After working full-time in manufacturing, Fryar dedicated his evenings to rescuing plants, creating intricate topiaries, and spreading messages of love and peace. His garden, sustained by donations and volunteers, remains open to the public.
Celeste Dupuy-Spencer (1979–2026) was a painter who used her art and voice to challenge injustice, addressing contemporary political violence, such as the January 6 insurrection and conflicts involving Israel and Palestinians. Her works were featured in prestigious venues like the Whitney Biennial and the Hammer Museum’s Made in LA biennial.
Andrey Akuzin (1973–2026) was a prominent figure in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Russia’s art scene. His life ended in detention after an arrest linked to a social media post supporting the banned Artpodgotovka group. Siri Aurdal (1937–2026), a Norwegian painter and sculptor, crafted large-scale sculptures from industrial materials, encouraging social interaction. She was integral to the 1960s Scandinavian art movement and represented at the 2017 Venice Biennale.
Hilde Limondjian (1936–2026) enriched the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s cultural offerings over four decades, organizing over 9,000 events as the director of concerts and lectures. She collaborated with artists like Philip Glass and Patti Smith. Hal Marcus (1951–2026), an artist from El Paso, ran the Hal Marcus Gallery for 30 years, mentoring local artists while showcasing pop and surrealist paintings inspired by life on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Frank Stack (1937–2026) taught art at the University of Missouri for almost 40 years and created satirical comics under the pseudonym Foolbert Sturgeon, including ‘The Adventures of Jesus,’ considered the first underground comic. Rosemary Tracy Woods (d. 2026) was a fervent advocate for art and social justice, founding Art for the Soul Gallery in Springfield, Massachusetts, to uplift marginalized artists.
