arts and culture, Civics and Urban Life

Karen Hansgen, Park Slope Art Book Publisher, Found Dead

7 Comments

Friends and neighbors are mourning the sudden death of Karen Hansgen, 49, associate publisher of Skira Rizzoli and a Park Slope resident, who was found dead in her apartment on Monday morning. She is survived by her son, Emmett, her ex-husband Garrett White and family members in North Carolina. The cause of death is unknown.

The above picture was taken at The New York Artist’s Book Fair, at P.S.1 in October 2009. Prior to her position at Skira Rizzoli, Hansgren was director of publications at the New Museum of Contemporary Art. She is the author of The Nook Book, How to Create and Enjoy the Coziest Spot in The Home.

7 thoughts on “Karen Hansgen, Park Slope Art Book Publisher, Found Dead”

  1. To my dear friend, Tamara, and Dick and all of Karen’s family and friends, I pray for healing and understanding in your loss. Peace be with you.

  2. I can’t seem to come to terms with the fact that I’m sitting here trying to organize my thoughts in order to express what Karen means and meant to me. I knew and loved her for over twenty years and like the others write so beautifully, she brightened my part of the world.

    Karen was over for dinner with a few other friends two weeks ago. She brought dessert: a truly spectacular grape and almond tart, worthy of inclusion in any of the best restaurants in the city. We spoke of her projects, and mine, of Obama and the state of the Union, of darling Emmett, of the past and the future, of movies, and books and all kinds of things – sparking, interesting, and real conversation, as we always had together. I woke up this morning thinking of that grape and almond tart. The crust with its beautifully beveled edges. The perfect blend of textures and taste from the grapes and the almonds. How did she do that?! And yet, when she arrived, she just pulled it out of one of her gorgeous and fun bags, casually brushed a little powdered sugar over it (that she brought with her), and…ta da!

    Thinking of her ease in the kitchen, or her writing, or the way she made any place she lived an oasis, it might be easy to be in awe of Karen. And when I first met her I was of course struck by her elegance and beauty – but it didn’t take long before I realized that her true elegance was a much rarer and more precious thing – it came from her generosity of spirit, her warmth, her thoughtfulness and her wide-open embrace of the people she loved and who loved her. And so very, very many people loved her so very much.

    My heart is breaking, and my prayers go out to all of us, but especially to her dear family and beloved Emmett.

  3. I can’t begin to describe my sadness and heartbreak over losing Karen. Like others have written, my memories are filled with rich meaningful times spent with Karen. Whether sitting in the living room (hers, mine, a vacation home in the outer banks…) or running into her on the streets in BK, moments with Karen were immediately genuine and connected. In the midst of a busy world, each time I saw Karen we were able to get right down to the what really mattered – whatever that was at the time – whether good or bad. Work, love, children, life. While my sadness over this has been so very deep, each time I have thought about her in these recent days I remember her beautiful and joyful smile. I already miss her tremendously. My heart and love go out to all of her family and of course, especially Emmett.

  4. I am sad to lose Karen, a woman whose friendship I treasured these past twenty years. She was a lovely bright spirit who leaves behind Emmett, the light of her life.

    She was so talented, a wonderful dancer who studied and danced with Martha Graham and then became a writer. She helped many people create beautiful books with her wonderful editorial skills. She was very successful at her career and with her boy, and she brought a joie de vivre with her wherever she went. She loved to cook and we spent some very happy times making meals together in France and LA. I made something special in her honor the night I learned she had left us.

    I am terribly sad for myself, and how much more my heart goes out to her family, people who are lucky to have loved and known her so sweetly, and for whom this can only be like a bad dream. Karen at least is at peace, and I can imagine her, waiting patiently to see us once again.

  5. What a tragedy to lose such a beautiful, intelligent, accomplished woman, and most of all, mother. I have heard many wonderful things about Karen from my friend, her sister, Tamara. The entire family and all concerned are with me in my prayers.

  6. I’m destroyed! What an effervescent person she was! My sincere condolences to all concerned. Hope to see her in heaven.

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