Her artistry will forever be remembered as a bold and colorful statement on femininity and empowerment, while also being a vehicle toward disrupting patriarchal notions around the female body. Artist Fahren Feingold was a force to be reckoned with on canvas, and we are saddened at the news of her passing.
A resident of The Untitled Space gallery in NYC since 2017 which exhibited a number of her collections and individual works, Fahren passed away at the young age of 43 after an accelerated battle with cancer. She leaves behind a legacy of creativity, innovation, and an enduring impact on the art world with her paintings emphasizing femininity.
Her ethereal watercolors gained recognition from collectors and critics alike for their sensitive, dreamy colors, graceful brush strokes, and depiction of the female figure. With her palette of bright pastels and soft colors, she invited viewers to step inside her dreamlike world, giving new voices to women of the past and present while exploring larger notions of female constructs in contemporary society. Her artwork and exploration of the female form empowered many and served as a testament to the strength of her artistic vision.
Born on September 19, 1980, in San Francisco, Feingold moved to Los Angeles in 1981 with her family. She displayed a prodigious talent for art from a young age and moved to New York City at the age of seventeen to study at Parsons School of Design after winning the best artist award at her high school, the Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences in Santa Monica. After earning her BFA between Parsons and Glasgow School of Art, she worked as a fashion designer for top brands including Ralph Lauren, Nicole Miller, Splendid, Chaser, and J.Crew, among others.
In 2016, she transitioned from fashion design to dedicating her career to her passion for painting. Her distinctive style, characterized by delicate, ethereal watercolors that often explored themes of femininity, sensuality, and female empowerment quickly garnered attention and acclaim. Her whimsical watercolors caught the eye of the legendary Nick Knight, who commissioned her to illustrate Paris Fashion Week for SHOWStudio, and the same year her work was featured at The Untitled Space in the group show “LIFEFORCE” curated by Kelsey and Remy Bennett.
In 2017 The Untitled Space presented her debut solo show “FAHREN FEINGOLD” curated by Indira Cesarine, followed by her 2018 solo show, “PEEP SHOW,” presented in collaboration between The Untitled Space and luxury brand Fleur du Mal, and her 2021 solo show, “WET DREAMS” at the gallery’s location on Lispenard Street in Tribeca, NYC. Online solo shows included “Golden Touch” (2018), “NO END TO LOVE” (2020), “HIGH ON LIFE” (2021), and the benefit exhibit and auction “LIVING FOR LOVE” (2023), which supported women’s mental health non-profit SEEK HER.
“Opening my eyes to the beauty and love that exists within me and around, my paintings act as a quiet dagger of truth, exposing the beauty of the feminine form from the female gaze, emphasizing the female body as a great thing to behold, free of judgment and objectification. My paintings of the female figure expand the footprint of women painted by women, celebrating sisterhood and empowering female themes,” stated Fahren in an artist statement for her last exhibition, “LIVING FOR LOVE,” February 2023.
Her watercolors featuring bold feminine nudes referenced her own photographs as well as imagery from early 20th century French erotica, and vintage American magazines from the 70s and 80s. Touted as “a trailblazing artist on a meteoric rise” by Vogue, Fahren’s work was featured in many international publications that celebrated her visual aesthetic and captivating signature style.
Vice praised her work, stating, “Feingold’s watercolors appear to swim on paper. Her figures bloom and radiate with ethereal energy, and the occasional splash of bright colors imbues them with life.”
Forbes declared in an interview with the artist, “She’s all about girl power. Feingold wants to empower and question wider issues, such as female constructs within the contemporary landscape.“
V Magazine noted her as a “particular standout” while the Huffington Post stated, “Fahren Feingold captures the space where the ethereal meets the erotic…Her artwork is an attempt to undo the centuries of censorship, shaming, and patriarchal politics that cloud the simple beauty of a naked body.”
On September 26, 2023, Fahren Feingold’s untimely passing left a void in the art world. However, her artistic legacy lives on through her paintings that inspire and captivate audiences worldwide. Fahren is survived by her parents, David and Sandy, brother and sister-in-law, Jacob and Lisa, and three nieces.
The Untitled Space will continue to represent the artist’s estate, with proceeds from future sales of her work to support some of the women’s charities she held dear, including feminist.org and equalitynow.org.
“I have been honored to represent Fahren and work closely with her since curating her debut solo show in 2017, along with numerous group shows, benefits, and artistic collaborations. She was a constant inspiration and I am deeply saddened by her sudden passing. I hope that her sensitive, ethereal artwork continues to inspire future generations, as it inspired me,” said Untitled Space gallery owner and curator Indira Cesarine in a statement.
We will continue to be inspired by Fahren Feingold’s work, and hold her legacy dear to our hearts in the wake of her passing. May her work impact women’s lives for generations to come.
