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Paul Bridgewater Obituary
Paul Bridgewater April 22, 1954 - October 15, 2021
Paul Bridgewater, one of the seminal personalities and driving forces who helped shape the East Village art scene of the '80's as a discoverer of major new talent and gallery owner, passed away October 15th at the age of 67 after a long bout with cancer. Bridgewater supported the fledgling works of artists like McDermott and McGough, Kjell Erik Killi Olsen, Mark Kostabi, Sean Earley, Craig Coleman and others, often becoming their first patron. Bridgewater was a legendary wit and raconteur of the New York art world scene. His larger-than-life personality, encyclopedic art expertise and culinary skills made him a popular social fixture on both the Upper and Lower East sides, two nearly polar opposite habitats which he navigated with equal aplomb.
Born in Terre Haute, Indiana, Bridgewater's family later moved to California where Paul spent most of his early life. As a young man in Washington, DC, Bridgewater became the co-Founder and Director of Hard Art Gallery in 1973 and as a painter his art drew the attention of Andy Warhol. After moving to New York City in the mid-1970's, Bridgewater's magnetic charm soon made him a popular figure amongst the city's elite both as the Maitre d' of the River Cafe and later when he opened his own popular restaurant Evelyne's. During this time Bridgewater sought out other artists in the emerging East Village art scene, supporting their work both as an avid collector and by introducing them to wealthy friends.
Bridgewater's passion for discovering and advocating the work of other artists led to opening the Bridgewater Gallery in 1984 which over years became Bridgewater Lustberg, then Bridgewater Lustberg and Blumenfeld, the Smart Clothes Gallery and finally Bridgewater Fine Arts. Over the last four decades, Bridgewater was either a Board Member or consultant to The Museum of Temporary Art, Washington, DC ; The YWCA Craft Students League, NYC; The Watershed Foundation for Ceramic Art, Saco, ME.; the Meta Museum, Black Mountain College of Hillsborough, NC; and Artplace Studio Foundation, NYC.
Bridgewater curated over 500 exhibitions including "Spark of Genius" for The General Electric Research and Development Center, Schenectady, NY, and consulted on such exhibits as "Temples of the Yoruba"; Photographs by Phyllis Galembo at The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Rockefeller Foundation, NYC; "Paint By Number" at The Smithsonian Institution's American History Museum, Washington, DC; and "American Folk" for CBS Cable; and The Robert Lynch Collection of North Carolina Folk Art, Wesleyan College, Rocky Mount, NC.
For 12 years, Bridgewater partnered with James Biddle working on architectural preservation. Bridgewater's East 3rd St apartment was a virtual museum of East Village art featured in Tom Atwood's 2005 monograph "Kings in their Castles". Bridgewater the man and his life in art is the subject of the 2022 feature documentary film by Chih Hsuan Liang, "Man from Pretentia". Paul Bridgewater is survived by 2 sisters, 4 nieces, 3 nephews, and many dear friends in his beloved New York.
In Lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Paul's name to Gay Man's Health Crisis, https://www.gmhc.org/
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Paul Bridgewater
Clare Powell
January 24, 2025
Oh Paul, just hate that we lost touch. Just found out you passed. My friend, how I loved being introduced to so many brilliant artists and interesting people. You helped me buy some great pieces. My house now looks like your apartment did, floor to ceiling art. Glad to hear you found a great partner too. See you in the next life, Champagne in hand. Love, hugs, winks.
David Jarrett
December 4, 2024
I knew PAUL AND REALLY MISS HIM.
Brien Coleman
December 4, 2024
Missing you here on the earth plane
Brian Vincent
December 4, 2024
Paul, you have a movie about you and it is extraordinary!
Miss you, pal.
Brien David Coleman
April 14, 2024
Deepest condolences and sadness. There will never be another man like him. xx
Terry Trice
December 4, 2023
Grief can be so hard, but our very special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Michael Mooney
October 22, 2023
As it´s been sometime since I left my beloved NYC to take a graduate lectureship, I´ve lost touch with so many I´ve cared for. It seems I´ve always been too introverted to let those I care about how I felt.
Paul was always so very special to me since we first met at an exhibit. He made me feel special.
One time I was walking along 3rd street and bumped into a former schoolmate from grad school. I was exhibiting regularly and she asked how do you get exhibits? I answered that you just keep knocking on doors and more important, just keep working. At that very moment, Paul came walking up the street.
He just stopped for a moment to say hello and asked if I would like to be in an upcoming group exhibition. I said yes and he was on his way. I have no words to describe the look on my former schoolmates face. I guess the point being as someone so introverted my entire life, Paul always made me feel special.
My plan was to teach for a year and back to NY. Unfortunately it´s easier to leave NYC than to get back in. Money, etc. Just wish
I had time to know this very special person better.
Hopefully we´ll meet again Paul.
Maria Passarelli
March 3, 2023
I met Paul through an artist I was representing when I was only a year or 2 into my fine art representation & consulting business. Paul was very gracious , friendly & genuine towards meeting me. I was happy to be invited to his wonderful gallery for openings or to just pop in. I am sad to hear that he passed. It is a big loss to many & the art world . I look forward to seeing the documentary about Paul he was a pioneer in the arts & had an amazing eye & instincts.
Robert Cali
September 21, 2022
Paul was from another time, transported to exemplify grace culture and humanity. Thank you for contiueing in touching lives, seeing dark as a color to not paint in extreme, staying routed in beauty & prosperity. So fortunate to have adorned your silk-like- precious-hair; in the early 80's...while amongst an amazing circle of eclectives; during my 7th/park ave Fashion client daz...and I do mean..."daz". The likes you.... Paul, singer...Dolly Dawn, designers...Anthony Muto & Mary Myers...an impact on all my visions. In contiued "creative artist" pursuits I'll know their is some infulance and in strength Paul contiues to give. My heart felt prayers to all close & family of such a wonderfully human!
Terry Trice
July 16, 2022
My deepest condolences to Paul's family upon finding about his passing.
I met Paul in the late 80's when was also with the River Cafe and owning the Bridgewater Gallery.
As a friend over time Paul invited me to his friends horse ranch in New Paltz a couple times. What a great time it was to get away from hectic NYC on the weekend and even canoe on the Walkill River.
I knew Paul Bridgewater as a much loved and well respected man in the New York City community.
Joseph Helguera
December 24, 2021
I lived at Hard Art, where Paul also lived and curated shows. We shared a rental truck when we each moved up to New York City in the spring of 1975, Paul to a life around the arts, and me to a stint of managing a commercial photographer. We saw a good deal of each other that first year, but I left the city that Fall , and didn't return for several years. We lost touch in the meantime, and except for a chance run-in at a showing of Ran in 1980, I never saw him again, though we did exchange an email or two sometime in the last decade.
All my memories of him derive from decades ago, but they remain vivid: Paul Bridgewater was fearless, handsome, irrepressibly charming, and no matter the circumstance,at all times himself. Very sorry to hear of his passing.
Tom Peditto
December 17, 2021
Its a consistent theme from all of his loved ones here. His unflinching support of us. For me it was in a myriad of ways; whether professionally or personally Paul was always there for me. I will miss that laugh, the one-of-a-kind belly laugh that would echo throughout our building for decades. He introduced me to art and cultures and new ways of looking at situations. I think about Paul every day and am reminded of all the virtues he's passed along like his devotion to unselfish causes, such as environmentalism. Paul would pedal dangerously through the streets of New York City in foul weather to buy his food and bring it back in, of course, a re-used bag each time; or would go out of his way to discard one piece of plastic in its appropriate bin and would sort through others refuse to file it responsibly. He took all these steps for us, despite all his health challenges through the years he never wavered and was selfless in his expectation in return. We have all lived a richer life for having had Paul to share in it.
R. Weis
December 16, 2021
Oh Paul... almost 30 years of laughs together, like the time in Palm Springs after dinner, crossing the street, laughing and gesturing so wildly that the police stopped us. So generous and supportive as a friend. Thanks for the beautiful, hilarious and unforgettable moments.
Brian Vincent and Heather Spore
December 14, 2021
Brian Vincent and Heather Spore
December 14, 2021
Brian Vincent and Heather Spore
December 14, 2021
Deepest condolences to the Bridgewater family and loved ones. Paul has been a dear friend for many years. In 2014, Paul heard I was researching painter Edward Brezinski and invited me to his one of a kind apartment for espresso (and then wine). For a few years, we kept on hanging out and sometimes going to art openings. Later, my wife Heather also enjoyed visiting with Paul. There is no one like Paul, his laugh, his joy his infectious positivity. Nearly every day I would get a cartoon or story emailed that he had selected to hilarious effect. I know I was one of many he sent these to. His thoughtful cards for birthdays were also much appreciated! Class, style and one of a kind hilarity, that was Paul. I have a video I filmed with photographer Marcus Leatherdale, in which Paul reflects on collecting artists. "I only bought things because I believed that I was helping finance the creation of the new art. I knew we were making history."
I attached a photo of Paul next to his painting at MoMA during the Club 57 show and a photo of Paul and I at an art opening.
Bob Mitchell
December 14, 2021
Paul: Natty Provocateur
I have a lot to say, don't know if there's room.
Tho Buster "discovered" me, and Jamie Lustberg hurriedly wrote an artist/dealer contract, on the spot, it was Paul that I gravitated towards, as advisor, curator, advocate, and indelible pal. I was a naive Connecticut Yankee, and he was a theatrical, outrageous, elegant raconteur. He was my complete opposite, and promised to take me sorely-needed clothes shopping, but it never came to pass.
I enjoyed one dinner party, akin to a Parisian salon evening, in his dazzling, art-packed apartment. The food, the company, the ambience--all expectedly Paul-elegant.
After 9/11, and the Art World's exodus to Chelsea, we lost contact, but he'd reach out regularly via e-mail. ( I'm no face-booker ) I fly model planes, and started a morning "weather report," for my pilot buddies, which grew into a diverse "blog." Paul joined, and became an almost-daily contributor and troublemaker, to the delight of all. I moved to Florida, and he stopped ringing in. Now I know why he became silent.
He was an irrepressible, treasured, friend, and my heart breaks that he is no longer being outrageous.
Robert Schoen
December 14, 2021
Remembering Paul Bridgewater, the East Village Art Scene and the Passing of an Era
an essay
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EzGVHYYQNTvDuO8LwkKDE83z0fTGJSl4nQRa0x-Ng_E/edit?usp=sharing
Kit Finley Cornell
December 13, 2021
Knew Paul through James Biddle and The Andalusia Foundation. So many glorious memories were made in the late 90's and early 2000's @Andalusia Estate...I'm sure you're continuing to dazzle wherever you are...RIP
Sandra Long
December 13, 2021
Opening Night The Keith Haring Show at The Brooklyn Museum... Always a party with Paul. You will be missed.
XoXo Sandra
Joy Collie
December 13, 2021
The East Village has lost one of it´s great, truly originals, people like Paul are what makes NY the kaleidoscope it is. He was a remarkable, kind, funny, smart and delightful man with an amazing knowledge of art. We bonded in the 80s over paintings and bees and remained great friends ever after. And how we laughed. I can hear him laughing, still. Miss you Paulito. Xxxxx
Ronald M Sosinski
December 12, 2021
So grateful to have spent quality time with Paul at his"final dinner party" adding many wonderful moments to the last scene of his life's story. Miss you ,Paul. See you in my dreams. Real friendship is rare, treasure it. Ronald
Leurys A
December 12, 2021
I met Paul earlier this year and in the couple of months that I knew him I can honestly say that he has had positive influence on my life. A wonderful storyteller and book lover. You couldn't really put him in a box. RIP Paul!
Ellen Marie Donahue
December 12, 2021
I was so sorry to hear about Paul's passing after just having seen him for a filmed dinner at his house for his documentary along with Gracie Mansion and Sur Rodney and Ronald Sosinski. To say that Paul was one of a kind is an understatement. Smart, funny, fabulous chef and a true devotee of the artworld was all the things that Paul was and so much more than words can express. He will be missed by so many and certainly by me. I will always treasure Paul and his unbelievable wit and sense of vision.
Marcus Leatherdale
December 11, 2021
Paul was the first to show my Bharat India series...and was one of my closest friends in NYC.He was what finally made NYC... NYC..an icon..yet another crack in the city I once loved. Paul will be missed RIPxx
Ron Rumford
December 11, 2021
I met Paul as part of the generous and kind team at BLB Gallery. Paul kept in touch and while our connection was not consistent, it was always rich and good fun. This life will be a little less bright without Paul.
David Jarrett
December 11, 2021
I really miss Paul and his dry humor. I had known Paul for many years. In 2011 he hosted a fundraiser in his art gallery for LESPI, the Lower East Side Preservation Initiative, a great organization dedicated to preserving streets and historic old buildings mainly in the East Village and Chinatown.
Betsy Bauer
December 11, 2021
I remember Paul´s amazing optimism and love for art. I showed my paintings with him and Jamie at Bridgewater Lustberg Gallery in New York City. He was always enthusiastic and full of life. I loved his apartment and art collection. Can still hear his laugh now. RIP, Paul.
George and Pam Bujarski, friends
December 11, 2021
We should have known something was wrong when your once-or-twice a day emails stopped, along with the humor, political seriousness, and Millie. But you had fought your way through so many changes and so many assaults on your body that we hoped you would win this last fight too. For us, being your friends was always a series of truly delightful and unique moments. Paul, thank you for sharing.
Tina Alvidrez
December 11, 2021
I will miss you so much. You were my very first Pen pal and I always looked forward to my many cards and postcards, just to let us know you were thinking of us. I so enjoyed our last trip to Indiana, so glad we were able to do that together. We created memories that my children and I can think back on and smile. Oh how I will miss your long, detailed, and embellished stories, always nail biting and exciting, never a dull moment. Love you my dear!!
Bobby Miller
December 11, 2021
Paul was a friend for 40 years. Kind, smart, funny and generous he was always there for a friend in need. I will miss him forever.
Jean Bridgewater Humphries
December 11, 2021
I sure miss you. We could talk about our family and laugh about how crazy we are. One thing we agreed on was our mom who held us together. You made the life you wanted and lived it to the best you could. I love you, Paul.
Marina Schoen
December 10, 2021
Loved every minute spent with you, in the US and in Italy. Your joy, laughter, storytelling wit, warmth and sense of humor will stay with me and will be missed.
Robert Schoen
December 10, 2021
What a remarkable guy you were, Paul, and what an amazing and wonderful life you lived, touching the lives of so many in the art world, especially all those artists you helped with your tremendous support and energetic enthusiasm. You were loved by many and New York was always a richer place with you in it.
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