Poet and Critic Bill Berkson Dies at 77, Remembered for Collaborations and Clarity

Last Thursday, Bill Berkson, a poet, educator, and art critic, passed away due to a heart attack. A native of New York who had lived in California for many years, he served as the inaugural poetry editor for artcritical.com and wrote for publications such as Art in America, Artnews, and Modern Painters. His latest work, 'Invisible Oligarchs' (Ugly Duckling Presse, 2016), reflects on his experiences in Russia. A tribute collection titled 'For Bill, ANYTHING' (Pressed Wafer) includes contributions from 75 individuals, among them Philip Guston and Alex Katz. During a reading in San Francisco, poet Norma Cole honored him with a poem. Berkson, who taught poetry to children and enjoyed various music styles, identified as 'unprincipled' to maintain his uniqueness. His writing, celebrated for its clarity and unexpected elements, earned admiration from friends like John Ashbery.