A prominent art world figure was found dead in a hotel room in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sunday, and many artists are paying tribute to her legacy and messages.
Hilde Lynn Helfenstein, 40, who gained notoriety in the art world for her satirical online commentary under the pseudonym "Jerry Gogosian," was found dead in an incident that Brazilian authorities are treating as suspicious, HuffPost reports, citing Brazilian outlet G1 Globo.
According to the publication, Helfenstein had been in Brazil for three weeks undergoing cosmetic surgery. A man claiming to be her surgeon became concerned when she stopped answering his calls. He reported this to the reception at the five-star Rosewood Hotel, where staff went to her room and found her unconscious. Medics pronounced her dead at the scene.
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Hilde Lynn Helfenstein, 40, was found dead in a Brazilian hotel room. Photo: Dave Bennett/Getty Images for The Wallace Collection
According to the publication, police noted that pills were found at the scene. The hotel stated that it was cooperating with authorities.
«"Since the incident, the hotel has been providing full support to the competent authorities, promptly providing all requested information to facilitate the investigation," a Rosewood São Paulo spokesperson told Hyperallergic.
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Helfenstein's comments, under the pseudonym Jerry Gogosian, were subsequently broadcast as a Substack newsletter called The Jerry Report and her podcast, Art Smack. Last year, she announced her retirement as Jerry Gogosian, noting that she "loved and enjoyed the role of Jerry very much, but it was time to let it go.".
Her final Instagram post, published over the weekend, urged followers to "unleash the rich woman within you." Following the news of her death, the post was inundated with emotional comments from fans.
«"An important critical figure in the art world has passed away. She left no stone unturned, was unconstrained by industry politics, and was always ready for alternative thinking, enlivening complex topics with humor and unpopular opinions," commented Dutch artists Loneke Gordijn and Ralph Nauta, known as Studio Drift. "She always pushed us to reduce our egos a little. We will miss you.".
Other artists also shared their condolences online. Artnet columnist Luning Wang posted her thoughts on Instagram.
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«"It's easier to sell a dream. Harder to tell the truth. Hilde chose the difficult path," Wang wrote. "In an art world dominated by markets and relationships, she managed to maintain a sense of purpose. Rest in peace, Hilde. Thank you for your honesty, humor, and courage to say what many others wouldn't dare.".
Ghanaian artist Joseph Nana Kwame Awua-Darko, better known online as Okuntakinte, called Helfenstein a "true ally" in another post.
Marie Heyman contributed to this article.
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