In Memoriam Allan Sekula (1951-2013)
News — Aug 12, 2013
We are deeply saddened by the passing on August 10, 2013 of Los Angeles-based, American artist Allan Sekula, whose work since the early 1970s including photography, film, video, critical writings, and decades of teaching made an exceptional and indelible contribution to contemporary art, expanding upon the history of conceptual art and its discursive possibilities.
One of the most significant artists of our time, Sekula imbued his work with an incisive and affecting examination of economic, military, and political power in an advanced Capitalist world. Sekula’s longstanding interest in maritime space brought him frequently to the Netherlands to produce and present his work, with numerous exhibitions, lectures, and screenings over the years, including for his recent, extraordinary film essay with Noël Burch, “The Forgotten Space” (2010). In 2012, the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam acquired two early works for the collection, including, Meditations on a Triptych(1973-78), which is currently on view in the galleries. We extend our deepest condolences to Allan’s wife Sally Stein, and to his family, friends, and generations of former students who will sorely miss him. We are grateful for the singular body of artworks and writings that he leaves for generations to come.