In Memoriam: Alison Knowles (1933–2025)

Alison Knowles
April 29, 1933 – October 29, 2025

"I observe, examine and collect. I present no specific meanings or theories about these little things that come my way.... That are just waiting for me to pick them up." *

We think back of her life, her presence and work with fondness, love and gratitude. She will be greatly missed but her works will be ever present. Her legacy will continue to come our way, waiting for us to pick it up and appreciate it again and again.

In July 1974, the try-out year for de Appel, Alison Knowles presented Collections from the Full Moon. Since then de Appel has worked with her on different occasions – leaving numerous traces including handwritten correspondence. Last year Knowles created Edition #18, a bookmark to be included in the publication Correspondences: de Appel 1975-2025, which will be launched on 12 December 2025.

*(From the Invitation for Objects in hand / The shoemakers assistant, de Appel, 1976)