Bengtson, William H.

William H. “Bill” Bengtson passed away on January 24, 2022, at Weiss Memorial Hospital at the age of 73. Mr. Bengtson had a long incredible history and involvement with art that was made in Chicago working with notable artists such as Ed Paschke, Roger Brown, Christina Ramberg, and many other influential artists. He was the Director of the Phyllis Kind Gallery for fifteen years and represented many of the Chicago Imagists. At that time these artists were not mainstream artists, but ones that had developed unique personal imagery outside of current trends in art, while living and working in Chicago. One of Bill’s early responsibilities at the gallery was photographing the artwork as it came in and documenting it for promotional postcards, posters, publications and to send slides and transparencies to collectors, art institutions and potential patrons. Bill studied photography at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with Kenneth Josephson, Joyce Neimanas and Barbara Crane, each broadening his understanding and appreciation of the medium as an art form. This, coupled with the ideas in contemporary art, folk, and outsider art, opened the door for him to be involved with photography knowing rules were made to be broken. Art subjects were everywhere, you just had to look. WHB. “I have never been an exhibiting artist or photographer, so my photographs have always been personal and private. My attempt to see the irony, contrasting elements, humor or composition to satisfy and entertain myself was my only goal. The images I’ve chosen to present reflect the subject matter that interested me in the moment while carrying a camera as I went about my business in and around the city. I like to think of my pictures as one-liners, amusing, confusing, compelling, and/or odd”. From Art Everywhere, selected works by WH Bengtson at the Ed Paschke Art Center, 2020. Bill’s most recent images were color photographs of details of multiple buildings in one frame of view. They were created with a digital camera while exploring the city.

Bill was a sweet soul who will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

Bill is survived by wife Pam, stepsons Ruley, Andrew and Matthew Rourke and his daughter inlaw Bridget Rourke. He is also survived by sister Bonnie Twietmeyer and brother-in-law Robert Twietmeyer and brother Thomas Bengtson, sistersin-law Lana Rothermel and Mary O’Kon, brothersin-law Michael Rothermel and Greg O’Kon, several nieces and nephews as well as extended family and numerous friends.

In lieu of flowers donations to be sent to the Ed Paschke Art Center.

Memorial later this Spring.

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