It’s with great sadness, that I bring to your attention that Fred Duignan has passed away. The artist and writer Fred Duignan exhibited and read poetry at Green Kill a number of times since 2016. Fred became a supportive friend to Green Kill and me during that time.
I became aware of his illness more than a year ago and he had kept me apprised regarding his medical developments. We had planned to present an innovative installation for this year that Fred had been working on. Plans changed as his illness progressed.
Fred presented The Key to C on May 6 at 5 PM. Exhibiting with him were his friend, artist Steven Van Nort and aritst Red Hammond.
Fred wrote about his exhibition, “There are moments in life that define an artist's personal reckoning as they face art making in the most profound way. My seven-painting series, The Key to C, addresses my current battle with cancer, which will end my life.” An interactive live stream was set up at the opening for visitors to talk to Fred from his home and to give Fred the virtual opportunity to feel present.
Fred passed during the exhibition period.
If you don't live it, it won't come out your horn. —Charlie Parker
Sincerely, David Schell
Fred Duignan Obituary
WOODSTOCK...Frederick J. “Fred” Duignan, 71, of Chestnut Hill Road died Saturday, June 10, 2023 at his residence surrounded by members of his family and a few friends after a long battle with cancer. Born June 1, 1952 in Jersey City, NJ, he was the son of the late Philip and Gertrude Duignan. He attended St. Mary’s in Rutherford, NJ, then studied at St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana; the duCret Center of Art, Plainfield, NJ; and obtained a BA in Fine Art and graduate certificate from University of California, Santa Cruz. Over the years he worked as a banker (briefly), a bartender, Curator of Contemporary Art at the Paterson Museum, an art critic, a social worker, and always as a master artist/poet. He was variously a resident of Woodstock and Saugerties since 2003.
Survivors are his partner, Sara Henry of Woodstock, his son Zack of Garfield, NJ, and his sister, Joanne Kosce of Rutherford, NJ. He was predeceased by his brother, James Duignan.
We shall all deeply miss Fred’s eccentric creative spirit.
Expressions of condolence may be shared with the family on Fred’s Tribute Wall at LasherFH.com.