The New York Times has published a profile of the recently deceased Lisa de Kooning, daughter of 20th Century American painter Willem de Kooning.  The article traces her youth in New York City, her active championing of her father’s estate after his death in 1997, and her struggles with alcohol and drugs, which ultimately led to her early death.  “She had an immense amount of talent,” says actor Alex Kilgore, “but she knew what genius was and she could never free herself from her own eye.” (more…)

Lisa de Kooning, only child of artist Willem de Kooning (1904-1997) and illustrator Joan Ward (1927-2005), died on Friday, November 23rd, 2012 at age 56. The cause of death has not yet been determined. Johanna Liesbeth (“Lisa”) de Kooning was born in New York in 1956. She was raised in Manhattan and lived primarily in The Springs, East Hampton, near her father’s studio. She created a foundation in her father’s name and a Trust for her personal collection of his work. She was known as an active and prominent philanthropist, and worked devotedly to preserve the legacy of her father. She maintained her father’s studio as he had left it, forming an invaluable resource for research and study. Lisa was a sculptor herself, and championed a variety of philanthropic causes, from animals to children to art. She is survived by her three children.  (more…)