Kate Friedman Obituary

Friedman, Kate Of Evanston died February 10 from complications of colon cancer. She was surrounded by family and friends. Born in 1955, she attended Evanston Township High School and graduated from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, with a degree in cultural history and studio art. She had a long and fruitful career as a graphic designer and artist. Her early artwork is in the permanent collections of the Chicago History Museum and the Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum in New York. For 20 years she ran her own firm, Kate Friedman Design, and designed publications, logos, signage, and Web sites for such clients as the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the University of Chicago Hospitals, and the Chicago Reader, where she was art director from 1994-1996. In her 40s she returned to fine art and developed an innovative process combining digitally manipulated images, often from the natural world, with painting and collage. In her last few years, a period of extraordinary productivity, she created site- and time-specific installations such as the "Nightless Night of Birches" at the Pall Mall Salon, which celebrated the Summer Solstice with constructed luminous birches scattered among stands of their natural counterparts. Her permanent sculptural installation "Reading the Landscape" was recently unveiled at the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve, at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. In this piece she mounted two aluminum text panels on an existing road-spanning trestle; on one side of the road the words of the panel evoke nature, on the other side culture. Kate said of the work, "My hope is that viewers will read them with an understanding that we are the human interface between the natural, primal world and the world which we have made." Among other places Kate has shown at the Noyes Cultural Art Center in Evanston, the SoHo20 Chelsea Gallery, and the Art Loop Open at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. Her show "Cursive/Recursive," shown at the South Shore Art Center in Munster, Indiana, was reviewed by Vera Scekic of ArtSlant Chicago, who wrote: "[T]he artist makes it impossible to determine whether what we view is microscopic or macroscopic, inside or out, up or down, on top of or behind. . . . . Looking at the exhibition as a whole gives one a sense of being on the cusp of understandingon the outer edge of a unified theory of everything." Kate is survived by her parents, Hans and Maxine Friedman, by her husband, Dr. Daniel Brauner, by her brothers Paul and John Friedman and Peter Fraterdeus, by her sons Ethan Friedman-Brauner and Cameron Friedman Coates, and by her stepchildren Mearah and Aza Quinn-Brauner. Friends from all walks of her life will gather to celebrate Kate on Wednesday, February 15, at the Women's Club of Evanston, 1702 Chicago Avenue in Evanston. The program will begin at 4:30 pm followed by a reception.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Feb. 14, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Kate Friedman

14 Entries

Irene Sandler

February 26, 2012

I remember and honor Kate for her generosity with her art. Here's one tiny example. She helped me design a very cool set on the cheap for MINDS AT PLAY, the scholastic quiz show on Evanston cable TV. The only costly element was a big banner sign in the road-construction-sign motif with the name of the show, MINDS AT PLAY. Of course she not only designed it, but created it for the show at her own expense. All with her characteristic enthusiasm and love. Dan,Cam,and Ethan, and the rest of her loved ones, I offer you my deepest condolences and promise you my prayers as you grieve. I believe she is even now praying for you too.

Pamela Hutton Erickson

February 19, 2012

So shocked and sad to hear of the great loss of Kate Friedman. She gave me my first chance at a professional graphic design career when she hired me to assist her design practice and manage her office while she went on vacation. She gave me a recommendation to The Reader and I was hired on the spot! Years later I am still working in that design community. I will miss her and will always keep her easygoing gentleness and kind smile in my memory.

Stella Gassaway

February 18, 2012

Kate Friedman was extraordinarily inquisitive and creatively motivated — all the time. She was kind, generous, and gracious. We were thrilled to bring her work to Philadelphia and present it at 110 CHURCH | gallery this past Fall: Kate Friedman : Branching.

We are saddened at her passing. We hold her family in our hearts.

Paul Ringel, M.D.

February 17, 2012

Sorry for your loss, man. I didn't have the pleasure of knowing Kate, but since she was connected to you, she must have been fab in all dimensions.

Paul

February 16, 2012

Extending my heartfelt condolences to the Friedman family. Please remember that you can look to God to be a true source of comfort and endurance. Isaiah 12:2 assures us that God can be our salvation, our strength and our might. Do not hesitate to throw your anxieties on him because he cares for you. May our heavenly Father give you the strength to make it through the days ahead

Joseph Flowers

February 16, 2012

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Diana Garza

February 15, 2012

My sincere condolences to the Friedman and Brauner Families.

andrew spatz

February 15, 2012

my condolences to the Friedman-Coates-Brauner family. Kate was WAY too young and had way too much left to contribute to the planet.

Anne McGravie-Wright

February 15, 2012

I am sending my sincere condolences from Melbourne Australia. Kate * I were friends man-years ago at ETHS and despite the many years we have not shared together somehow when I did reconnect with her via FB it was as if we had never been apart geographically nor in spirit I admired her profound approach to both her life and her artistic statements ...and feel so very honoured to have know her.
My deepest sympathy goes out to Hans, Maxine, her Husband and children and all her friends at this time of loss.
Anne McGravie-Wright / Mebourne / Australia

Karen Halsted

February 14, 2012

My love to all the Friedman-Coates-Brauner family. Kate was my oldest friend. A dear, true friend. I am blessed to have so many wonderful memories with her from hanging out at Hans & Maxine's house on Judson, to living together at Earlham college to sharing a tiny garret room at the top of a 19th century apartment in Paris. We would push open the skylight, climb up on the bed and poke our heads out to see the Eiffle Tower. I was in awe of Kate and her art and graceful ways. I miss her intensely.

Eric King

February 14, 2012

To Maxine, Hans, Peter, John and Paul, I remember those times at your house, whether it was in the backyard or around the kitchen table, and Kate had such a joyous personality. Her art as well as her heart was beautiful, and she touched many souls. I am so sorry for your loss and hope you find comfort in knowing the joy and love she brought to so many.

michelle stone

February 14, 2012

kate was one of the most gentle, loving souls to have blessed her family and friends with her spirit my deepest sympathy and love goes out to
the family who loves kate so much
i am happy to have been a friend i will truly miss her

Lisa Nebenzahl

February 14, 2012

Sending Light and Love to Kate's family. She was a pure spirit, a tremendous talent and a kind friend.

Carlos Ruiz

February 14, 2012

Hans and Maxine and to the Friedman-Brauner family. With my deepest sympathy I express my sincere sorrow for your great lost. Kate will be missed by all who were touched by her work and life.

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results