Mark Lewis Remembers Silke Otto-Knapp, Artist and Former Afterall Managing Editor

In an essay published on Afterall, filmmaker Mark Lewis memorializes Silke Otto-Knapp (1970–2022), who died at her home in Los Angeles. Otto-Knapp served as Managing Editor of Afterall Journal from 1999 to 2005, transforming the publication from a disorganized state into a structured, internationally ambitious journal. Lewis recalls her first appearance at the office in a white dress and yellow shoes, her charismatic presence, and her rigorous editing style that rejected florid prose while respecting rhythm. She fostered friendships globally, particularly after Afterall partnered with California Institute of the Arts, leading to her eventual move to Los Angeles. Otto-Knapp was known for her decisive yet diplomatic influence in editorial meetings, her passion for painting, and her disdain for social media, which she likened to an electric carving knife. After leaving Afterall in 2005, she focused on her studio practice, becoming a highly regarded painter. Lewis reflects on her love of the sea, fishing off Fogo Island, and her ability to live multiple lives simultaneously, held together by her art.