Fond Farewell to Late ABN Writer Emmett Murphy

Art Business News, April, 2001 by Julie Keller

DEAR READERS,

As I write my letter this month, I bring you news of sad tidings and report what I consider to be the end of an Art Business News era. Longtime columnist Emmett Murphy, the writer of two of the magazine's most popular sections, Art Hotline and Murmurs, has passed away. This month marks the last time we will be publishing these much-read sections.

Of course I am sad to lose a treasured and talented writer. But I am more saddened at the loss of a wise and witty man I consider a friend.

I met Emmett two years ago when I moved to New York and took a job at Art Business News as an associate editor. When I called to introduce myself, I learned I was speaking to a seasoned New Yorker and an interesting human being. He asked about where I was living, about my family, about my favorite foods, restaurants and movies. He told me about his work with the FBI and about the celebrities he knew from his days as a Hollywood filmmaker.

A few weeks later, when he dropped by the office to turn in his column, he also brought me an envelope full of clippings telling me about my Upper East Side neighborhood, reviews of area restaurants and a few suggestions for books to read about the area. As we shared sandwiches in Bryant Park, he also told me about his star-sightings for the week and about his weekly bicycle trips throughout Manhattan as part of his quest to learn the history of every important building he passed.

And so our monthly lunches (and our friendship) began. For two years, I've looked forward to these meetings and enjoyed my time with Emmett. And for two years, I've also looked forward to reading his column each month. His approach to providing the industry's latest news and gossip was witty and insightful, and he is truly irreplaceable as a writer and friend.

I'm not the only person who treasured Emmett's talent and friendship. Former ABN Editor Jo Yanow Schwartz has been friends with Emmett for years, and ABN Art Director Maggie Tringali, the originator of Lunch in the Park with Emmett, also considered him to be a dear friend. Both offer their thoughts and love this month in our tribute to Emmett on page 8.

This month, as you flip through the pages of ABN, please keep Emmett and his family in your thoughts and prayers. I know I'll never forget him.

BEST WISHES, JULIE KELLER Editor-in-Chief jkeller@advanstar.com