French artist Ben, known for his humorous and ironic slogans, has died at the age of 88.
According to his family, he took his own life just hours after his wife of 60 years, Annie, passed away due to a stroke.
Ben, whose real name was Benjamin Vautier, was a prominent figure in the Fluxus movement of the 1960s. He was known for his unconventional approach to art, which often involved signing everyday objects and claiming them as his own creations.
Despite his controversial approach, Ben’s work gained widespread recognition and was even featured in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. His slogans, which often questioned the nature of art and reality, were replicated on various objects such as school bags, notebooks, and tram stops in Nice.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Culture Minister Rachida Dati have paid tribute to Ben, hailing him as a “legend” and a “goldsmith of language.” His death has been met with an outpouring of grief from the art world, with many remembering him as a true original and a master of his craft.
