Hyperallergic's In Memoriam: Celebrating the Lives of Bou Meng, Mary Heilmann, and Seven More Art World Figures
Hyperallergic's 'In Memoriam' pays tribute to nine artists who died in 2026. Mary Heilmann (1940–2026), an abstract painter recognized for her plywood chairs, experienced a resurgence in her later years, showcasing her work at the New Museum and Whitney Museum. Bou Meng (1941–2026), a survivor of Tuol Sleng and Cambodian painter, created propaganda portraits and testified against a prison chief in 2009. Aboriginal artist Kumantjayi (Walala) Tjapaltjarri was a member of the Pintupi Nine. Daria Alyoshkina (1982–2026) was celebrated for her vytynanky. Jack Crabtree (1938–2026) focused on coal communities, while John D. Edwards (1952–2026) wrote 'How Cancer Saved My Life.' Robin Hill (1932–2026) specialized in intricate bird illustrations, and Thora Jacobson (1949–2026) supported Philadelphia's art scene. Patrick Vilaire (1941–2026) examined Haitian history.
Key facts
- Bou Meng, a Cambodian painter and survivor of the Khmer Rouge torture center Tuol Sleng, died in 2026 at age 85.
- Mary Heilmann, a pioneering abstract artist known for her plywood chairs, died in 2026 at age 86.
- Kumantjayi (Walala) Tjapaltjarri, an Australian Aboriginal painter and member of the Pintupi Nine, died in 2026.
- Daria Alyoshkina, a Ukrainian graphic artist and paper-cutter, died in 2026; her works were shown internationally.
- Jack Crabtree, a British social realist painter, documented coalfields in south Wales and received the first Ruhr Arts Fellowship in 1977.
- John D. Edwards, a British painter and sculptor, wrote and illustrated 'How Cancer Saved My Life' (2007) after his diagnosis.
- Thora Jacobson held numerous leadership roles in Philadelphia arts organizations, including the Fleischer Art Memorial and Mural Arts Philadelphia.
- Patrick Vilaire, a Haitian sculptor and painter, was honored by the French government as a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters in 1991.
Entities
Artists
- Bou Meng
- Pol Pot
- Mao Zedong
- Kim Il Sung
- Mary Heilmann
- Richard Serra
- Robert Smithson
- Daria Alyoshkina
- Jack Crabtree
- John D. Edwards
- Jim Dine
- Kenneth Noland
- Dan Flavin
- Robin Hill
- John James Audubon
- Marcia Carter
- Thora Jacobson
- Kumantjayi (Walala) Tjapaltjarri
- Steve Martin
- Beyoncé
- Patrick Vilaire
Institutions
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
- Khmer Rouge
- New Museum
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- Whitechapel Gallery
- Waddington Gallery
- Fleischer Art Memorial
- Philadelphia Art Alliance
- Mural Arts Philadelphia
- Philadelphia Art Commission
- Moore College of Art
- Tri-State Artists Equity
- Papunya Tula
- Ruhr Arts Fellowship
- French government
Locations
- Cambodia
- China
- North Korea
- United States
- Poland
- France
- Germany
- Ukraine
- London
- United Kingdom
- New York
- USA
- Chicago
- Tokyo
- Japan
- Washington, DC
- Philadelphia
- Australia
- Western Desert
- Gibson Desert
- Western Australia
- south Wales