Tess Jaray, British geometric abstractionist, dies at 89

Tess Jaray, the esteemed British artist known for her geometric abstract works and public art projects, has died at 89. Born in Vienna in 1937, she studied at the Slade School of Art under Ernst Gombrich. In 1968, she made history as the first female teacher there, leading the postgraduate program for almost thirty years. Her striking hard-edge paintings, inspired by Italian Renaissance architecture, gained attention in the 1960s, emphasizing perspective and trompe l'oeil techniques. Later works, like the Thorn series from 2014, showcased laser-cut acrylic on metal. Jaray took on public commissions from 1985, including a terrazzo floor at London Victoria station. A retrospective was held at the Millennium Gallery in Sheffield in 2024, following her solo show in Vienna in 2021.