Koch's Crusade: Artist's Posthumous Fame Secured

Stephen Koch, a writer and critic, passed away on February 24 at the age of 84. He was instrumental in bringing the work of photographer Peter Hujar to global acclaim. Koch served as the longtime director of the Peter Hujar Archive, an organization dedicated to promoting Hujar's art.

During his lifetime, Peter Hujar faced financial hardship and infrequent exhibitions. His death from AIDS in 1987 left his work largely appreciated only by a select group of cognoscenti. Koch, who met Hujar through Susan Sontag, became the executor of Hujar's artistic estate shortly before his death.

Koch's mission to posthumously elevate Hujar's reputation involved years of persistent promotion to galleries, dealers, and museums. Early support came from Robert Mapplethorpe, who purchased a Hujar photograph for $500. Hujar's work has since achieved significant recognition, with critics declaring him a major American photographer of the late 20th century.

Beyond his work with Hujar, Koch was also a published author. His writings included novels, a study of Andy Warhol's films, and books on historical figures. Koch's own literary endeavors received mixed reviews, but he found a profound mission in championing Hujar's art, which he described as "unpredictably beautiful."

Stephen Koch's dedication ensured that Peter Hujar's soulful black-and-white photographs, capturing New York's downtown scene and its inhabitants, achieved the prominence he believed they deserved. Koch is survived by his daughter and two grandchildren.