Hyperallergic's Weekly In Memoriam: Paula Kamps, Ben Morea, Tess Jaray, and Others
Hyperallergic’s recent tribute highlights notable artists who have passed away. Among them is Paula Kamps (1990–2026), a German painter celebrated for her vivid depictions of fragmented figures and everyday life. Her artwork graced galleries including Galerie Christine Mayer in Munich and Sans titre in Paris. Kamps also served as an instructor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, with her pieces showcased at the X Museum in Beijing. Another highlighted artist, Eric Alan Hirt, known as "Eson" (d. 2026), became a prominent figure following a widely viewed VICE documentary in 2018. Additionally, ceramic artist Lucy Edwards (1928–2026) and historian Anna Kafetsi (1954–2026) were recognized.
Key facts
- Paula Kamps (1990–2026) was a German painter known for fragmented figures, flowers, and daily life scenes.
- Kamps exhibited at Galerie Christine Mayer (Munich), M. LeBlanc (Chicago), and Sans titre (Paris).
- She taught at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
- Her work is in the permanent collection of the X Museum in Beijing.
- Eric Alan Hirt "Eson" (d. 2026) was a Miami graffiti legend and member of the Miami Style Gods crew.
- Eson appeared in a 2018 VICE documentary viewed over 6 million times.
- Lucy Edwards (1928–2026) was a master ceramicist and co-founder of the Haverford Guild of Craftsmen.
- Anna Kafetsi (1954–2026) founded the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Athens.
- Tess Jaray (1937–2026) created the floor of Victoria Station in London and taught at Hornsey and Slade.
- John Marion (1933–2026) was a Sotheby's auctioneer who sold van Gogh's 'Irises' and Warhol's cookie jars.
- Ben Morea (1941–2026) published Black Mask magazine and led Up Against the Wall Motherfucker.
- Rainy Naha (1949–2026) was a Hopi-Tewa potter who won Best of Pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market in 2007.
- Margot Wellington (1934–2026) saved Grand Central Terminal as director of the Municipal Art Society.
Entities
Artists
- Paula Kamps
- Eric Alan Hirt "Eson"
- Lucy Edwards
- Anna Kafetsi
- Tess Jaray
- John Marion
- Ben Morea
- Rainy Naha
- Margot Wellington
- Vincent van Gogh
- Pablo Picasso
- Andy Warhol
- Helen "Featherwoman" Naha
Institutions
- Hyperallergic
- Galerie Christine Mayer
- M. LeBlanc
- Sans titre
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago
- X Museum
- Miami Style Gods (MSG)
- VICE
- Long Beach Foundation of the Arts and Sciences
- Community Arts Center in Wallingford
- Main Line and Wayne Art Centers
- Haverford Guild of Craftsmen
- Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen
- National Museum of Contemporary Art
- National Gallery–Alexandros Soutsos Museum
- Royal Institute of British Architects
- Hornsey College of Art
- Slade School of Fine Art
- Sotheby's
- White Columns
- Santa Fe Indian Market
- Municipal Art Society
- Radio City Music Hall
Locations
- Munich
- Germany
- Chicago
- United States
- Paris
- France
- Beijing
- China
- Miami
- Athens
- Greece
- London
- United Kingdom
- New York City
- Lower East Side
- Grand Central Terminal