Tess Jaray, the acclaimed Austrian-born British abstract painter, has died at the age of 88. She was known for her geometric and minimalist works that often explored the interplay of colour and form.
Early Life and Career
Born in Vienna in 1938, Jaray fled the Nazis with her family and settled in England. She studied at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, where she developed her distinctive style. Her early works were influenced by the abstract expressionists, but she soon moved towards a more structured, geometric approach.
Artistic Style
Jaray's paintings are characterised by their precise, often symmetrical compositions, using bold blocks of colour. She was particularly interested in the relationship between positive and negative space, and her works often feature repeating patterns and optical effects. She once said, 'I want to create a sense of order and harmony, but also a sense of movement and life.'
Major Exhibitions and Recognition
Jaray exhibited widely throughout her career, including at the Royal Academy of Arts, the Tate Gallery, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2015 for services to art. Her work is held in numerous public and private collections worldwide.
Legacy
Jaray is survived by her two children. She continued to paint until her final years, and her last exhibition was held in 2025. Her influence on abstract painting, particularly in the UK, is significant, inspiring a new generation of artists to explore geometric abstraction.
