URGENT UPDATE: Philip Leider, the influential founding editor in chief of Artforum, has passed away at the age of 96. He died at his home in Berkeley, California, on January 11, 2024, as confirmed by his daughter, Polly Leider. This marks a significant loss for the art community, as Leider played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary art discourse.
Under Leider’s visionary leadership since the magazine’s inception in 1962, Artforum emerged as the most respected art publication in the United States, known for its commitment to separating art from commercial interests. “More than any other voice or venue, Artforum substantiated the break in American culture in the late ’60s,” noted renowned artist Richard Serra in a 1993 issue, emphasizing Leider’s profound impact.
Born in New York City in 1929 to Jewish immigrant parents, Leider’s journey in the art world began after he earned a BA in history from Brooklyn College and an MA in English Literature from the University of Nebraska. Following a brief military service, he transitioned from a social worker to the arts, where he was hired as the only paid staffer for Artforum on the recommendation of artist John Coplans.
In his inaugural issue, Leider articulated a powerful ethos: “Art and artists will flourish when an admiring public buys paintings because they love them.” This perspective became a cornerstone of Artforum, influencing countless artists and critics. His commitment to fostering new voices in art led to the rise of influential critics like Michael Fried and Rosalind Krauss.
Despite his elevated status, Leider remained grounded, prioritizing family over power and wealth. His dedication to the integrity of art led to notable clashes with the magazine’s publisher, Charles Cowles, who took over in 1965. “The whole orientation of his life was his family,” remarked journalist Janet Malcolm in a 1986 article.
Leider’s tenure at Artforum continued through the magazine’s relocations to Los Angeles in 1967 and then to New York. He contributed extensively, including his famed 1970 article “How I Spent My Summer Vacation,” which chronicled a groundbreaking road trip to view earthworks.
In 1971, Leider resigned at the peak of his influence, expressing frustration at the lack of engagement from writers with the emerging art scene, which included pioneering figures like Robert Smithson and Michael Heizer. He then shifted his focus to academia, teaching art history at the University of California, Irvine, and later at the Bezalel Academy of Fine Arts in Jerusalem.
Despite retiring in 1998, Leider remained active in the art community, contributing to various publications until his final years in Berkeley with his wife, Gladys. He is survived by three children, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
“Phil Leider was a charming, funny, brilliant man, and there would be no Artforum without him,” expressed Michael Fried, reflecting the deep appreciation felt by those who knew him. His legacy as a champion of artistic integrity and innovation will resonate throughout the art world for generations to come.
As news of his passing spreads, the art community mourns the loss of a true visionary whose influence and spirit will be deeply missed.
