Mark Bernhard Hipper passed away on Thursday August 12, at the age of 49 at his home in Grahamstown. He was a senior lecturer in the Fine Arts department at Rhodes University for 12 years, and thrived as a practicing artist.
Mark Bernhard Hipper passed away on Thursday August 12, at the age of 49 at his home in Grahamstown. He was a senior lecturer in the Fine Arts department at Rhodes University for 12 years, and thrived as a practicing artist.
On the day of his death, Hipper was due to deliver an evening seminar on his latest project, but did not appear. When a friend and colleague, Tim Huisamen, went looking for Hipper at his home, his body was found. He appeared to have died 10-12 hours earlier.
Though Hipper was primarily known as a painter, he excelled in drawing, print making, wood-carving and clay work. His work often inspired controversy. “His work wasn’t neutral,” acknowledged Huisamen, who spoke with admiration of his friend’s multiple aptitudes as an academic of English literature, a poet and writer. “He was probably one of the most active artists on staff at Rhodes, putting out one exhibit every year,” said Huisamen.
Hipper had been on academic research leave since January this year, working on a project related to art therapy interventions within the mental health sector. He was a diabetic for well over 20 years, according to Huisamen, but it is not yet determined if this was his cause of death.
Hipper is survived by his mother, brother and sister.
A memorial service will be held in the Rhodes University Chapel on Wed 18 Aug at 15h00.
