Karen Elaine Martin

Karen Savage Martin, a professor emeritus of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, died in hospice care on August 25. Karen was 69.

After earning her MFA at the school in 1972, Karen specializing in Printmedia and Photography, where she taught for over 30 years. Karen was deeply involved in the school and served as department chair, curated exhibitions and was a graduate advisor.

Karen's most recent gallery representation was with the Aron Packer Projects in Chicago. She is most well known for her photograms. Some of her solo exhibitions include: Parc Naturel Regional du Pilat, Veranne, France; The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville; and Printworks Gallery, Chicago. She is a two-time Illinois Arts Council grant recipient with work in the collections of Musée d'Art Moderne de Saint Etienne, France; The Art Institute of Chicago; The Visual Studies Workshop, Research Center, Rochester, New York; and The Cranbrook Museum of Art, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Her accomplishments are countless.

Ray Martin, professor emeritus of the Art Institute of Chicago, Karen's late husband, was her partner in life and art.

As a sensitive, thoughtful and humble woman, Karen was a kind and generous friend to many. She is survived by her mother, Helen Hagensee, her sister Judy Macchia (and Dennis), sister Linda Kadlec, (and Neil) her brother Scott Hagensee (and Jim Martin), her nieces and nephews, Cara (and Charlie) Grey, Brad and (Lisa) Kadlec, Chris (and Kristin) Kadlec and Brett Kadlec. Karen's beloved late father was Edwin Savage.