Joint Statement from Ben Hunter and Offer Waterman
It is with deep sadness we say goodbye to Tess Jaray who died peacefully on 24 May 2026 with her family by her side. An artistic pioneer, philosophiser, teacher, mother and grandmother, Tess transformed the landscape of contemporary art with profound innovation and grace.
Born in Vienna in 1937, Jaray’s family settled in England the following year. After studying in London, she was invited to return to the Slade School of Fine Art in 1968 as the school’s first female lecturer, where she then taught for over 30 years.
Fortunately, her legacy will live on through her extraordinary work, through the beautiful family who survive her and through the many artists and students on whom she left an indelible impression.
We are so privileged to have known and been able to work with Tess, and we extend our very deepest sympathies to her family and friends at this time.
