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In Memoriam: Silke Otto-Knapp

October 10, 2022

Dear UCLA Arts Community,

I write today to share that sad news that after an incredible fight our beloved colleague, teacher, and friend, Silke Otto-Knapp, passed as a full moon rose on October 9th. Silke’s incredible dedication to the UCLA Art Department over this past decade makes this a profound and deeply felt loss for our community. She will be missed by all of us and I am beyond thankful to have known her. Her warmth, her commitment, and the beauty with which she pursued her work and teaching were monumental. Her many students will be forever changed by her honest generosity in support of their ideas and work as artists. We the faculty cherished the opportunity to work with such an extraordinary person. Silke was at home where she recently built her studio, surrounded by her family and cherished friends. She leaves us with her brilliant work to embrace for years to come. May she be at peace.

Silke Otto-Knapp (1970-2022) photo by Sharon Lockhart

Peace and love be with all of you.
Catherine Opie
Chair, UCLA Department of Art
The Lynda and Stewart Resnick Endowed Chair of Art

Read the Los Angeles Times obituary by Christopher Knight