Remembering Jean-François Leroy, Lucien Smith, and Jibby Beane
This week, we honor the founder of an influential photojournalism festival, a fixture of NYC’s downtown art scene, and a fashionista and gallerist.
In Memoriam is a weekly publication that pays tribute to those who have recently passed away in the art world. This week, we remember three notable individuals: Jean-François Leroy, Lucien Smith, and Jibby Beane.
Jean-François Leroy, a French photographer, was born in 1956 and passed away in 2026. He co-founded and directed the prestigious Visa Pour l’Image photojournalism festival, which brought attention to global conflicts and environmental disasters. Leroy also pursued a successful photography career of his own and served as the editor of Photo Magazine during the late 1980s.
Lucien Smith, an American artist and activist, was born in 1989 and died in 2026. As a fixture of New York City's downtown art scene, Smith was known for his abstract paintings and nonprofit work. His Rain Paintings series (2011-2012) showcased his unique style, while his foundation, Serving the People, hosted weekly discussions and meetings centered around artists' ideas and processes. This organization operated in major cities worldwide, fostering dialogue and connection among creative minds.
Jibby Beane, a British gallerist and fashion icon, was born in an unspecified year and passed away in 2026. Beane played a pivotal role in bridging the fashion and art worlds. She modeled for renowned designers such as Vivienne Westwood and opened a gallery in 1994 to support emerging talent. Notably, her gallery provided a platform for British artist and composer Martin Creed, showcasing the cross-pollination of artistic disciplines.
Written by urgent.news from Hyperallergic's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
