In Memoriam: Ingrid Wiener, Ian Berry, Bob Masse, and Other Art World Figures Who Died in 2026
In 2026, the art community mourned the passing of several prominent individuals, as highlighted in Hyperallergic's In Memoriam series. Ingrid Wiener (1942–2026), an Austrian artist associated with Viennese Actionism, was known for her unique tapestries that combined photography, painting, and text. Scott Froschauer (1968–2026), a public artist and sculptor, created significant installations for Burning Man and showcased his work at the Smithsonian in 2018. British photojournalist Ian Berry (1934–2026) reported on Apartheid in South Africa, notably covering the Sharpeville massacre in 1960. Canadian poster artist Bob Masse (1945–2026) designed concert posters for musicians like Neil Young and Tori Amos, while Italian photojournalist Umberto Pizzi (1937–2026) captured the essence of Italy's Dolce Vita. Nashville watercolorist Phil Ponder (1933–2026) painted over 700 architectural portraits.
Key facts
- Ingrid Wiener (1942–2026) was an Austrian artist linked to Viennese Actionism in the 1960s and '70s.
- Wiener created tapestries combining photography, painting, collage, and text, and collaborated with Valie Export and Dieter Roth.
- Scott Froschauer (1968–2026) made large-scale installations for Burning Man in the 2010s, shown at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in 2018.
- Ian Berry (1934–2026) was a British photojournalist who covered the 1960 Sharpeville massacre, where 69 were killed and 178 wounded.
- Berry was part of Magnum Photos and won awards from British Press Pictures, the Art Directors Club of New York, and the National Press Photographers Association.
- Bob Masse (1945–2026) was a Canadian poster artist who designed concert posters for Neil Young, Tori Amos, and the Smashing Pumpkins, and film posters for Back to the Future Part III.
- Umberto Pizzi (1937–2026) was an Italian photojournalist who documented Italy's Dolce Vita era and produced an archive of around two million images.
- Phil Ponder (1933–2026) was a Nashville watercolorist who painted more than 700 architectural portraits of churches, houses, public spaces, and landmarks.
Entities
Artists
- Ingrid Wiener
- Scott Froschauer
- Ian Berry
- Bob Masse
- Umberto Pizzi
- Phil Ponder
- Valie Export
- Dieter Roth
- Neil Young
- Tori Amos
- Smashing Pumpkins
Institutions
- Hyperallergic
- Magnum Photos
- Daily Mail
- Drum magazine
- British Press Pictures
- Art Directors Club of New York
- National Press Photographers Association
- Smithsonian American Art Museum
- Burning Man
- Time
- People
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Back to the Future Part III
Locations
- Austria
- South Africa
- Sharpeville
- Italy
- Nashville
- United States
- Canada
- United Kingdom