Tag Archives: obits

Farewell Sir Brian Clarke: Master of Light and Line

brian clarke assorted photos photo by gail worley
Brian Clarke in the ’80s, Lower Left (All Photos By Gail)

The art world mourns the loss of Sir Brian Clarke, the visionary British stained-glass artist and painter, who passed away from cancer on July 1, 2025 — just one day shy of his 72nd birthday. Born in Oldham, Lancashire, Clarke transformed stained glass from ecclesiastical embellishment into a breathtaking architectural medium.

Clarke’s artistic journey began as a scholarship student at age 13. Over the decades, he pioneered works that blurred art and space —from majestic church windows to public installations and freestanding glass screens.
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Remembering Native American Artist Jaune Quick-to-See Smith

indian madonna enthroned 1974 photo by gail worley
Indian Madonna Enthroned, 1974 (All Photos By Gail)

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, a pioneering Native American artist and activist, passed away on January 24, 2025, after a prolonged battle with pancreatic cancer. She had just celebrated her 85th birthday.

An enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Smith was renowned for her dynamic artworks that intricately mapped the Native American experience, blending abstraction, collage, and mixed media to address themes of identity, oppression, and environmental issues.

mcflag 1996 photo by gail worley
McFlag, 1996
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WorleyGig Acknowledges The Passing of Queen Elizabeth II

I think Morrissey said it best when he sang “Has the world changed, or have I changed?” The Queen is Dead (1986): What a great song, what a great album. RIP Queen Elizabeth, you had a good, long life.

Instagram Photo of The Week: RIP Photographer Mick Rock

Anyone who grew up in the 70s, loving bands like Queen and David Bowie, knows the legacy of photographer Mick Rock. Along with the equally phenomenal Bob Gruen, Rock was a photographer whose skilled eye captured images – fleeting moments in rock history – that were every bit as important to the times as the music being made by those he was shooting. It is not at all surprising that Mick Rock is also known as “The Man Who Shot the 70s.” It was sad news indeed to hear of Rock’s passing on November 18th due to complications from a two-year battle with cancer. He is surely irreplaceable. RIP, Mick!

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In Memorium, Rock You To Death: An Interview with Murderdolls Guitarist, Joey Jordison

Joey jordison murderdolls
Joey Jordison (Center) WithThe Murderdolls in 2003 (Image Source)

Musician Joey Jordison, best known as the legendary original drummer for Slipknot, and guitarist for The Murderdolls, passed away on Monday, July 26th, 2021 from the neurological disease transverse myelitis, which he had suffered with for many years.  This is very sad news, not only because Joey was an extremely talented musician, but because he was a cool guy who was just too young to go.
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