Henrike Naumann, German Artist for Venice Biennale, Dies at 41

Henrike Naumann, who was to represent Germany at this year’s Venice Biennale, died on Saturday in Berlin at the age of 41, less than three months before the art event is set to open. Her partner, Clemens Villinger, said she died 'after a cancer diagnosis that came far too late' and that she worked 'until the very end' on a 'heartfelt project' for Venice.

A spokeswoman for Naumann said the German pavilion show will go ahead as planned in May. Naumann was to share the pavilion with the Vietnamese German artist Sung Tieu. The Biennale, which runs from May 9 through Nov. 22, has already been affected by another recent loss after the sudden death last year of Koyo Kouoh.

Born in East Germany in 1984, Naumann became known for installations that used furniture and household items to reflect the rapid social and political changes after reunification. Her 2022 SculptureCenter exhibition 'Re-Education' included fur rugs and a bone telephone.

Germany, Berlin

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