Like many in the decorative arts world, we at Bard Graduate Center were very sad to learn that our friend and board member, Philip Hewat-Jaboor, died earlier this month at his home in Jersey, Channel Islands.

Dr. Susan Weber, BGC’s founder and director, reflected on Hewat-Jaboor’s impact at the most recent meeting of its Board of Trustees, noting that he had supported the institution since its founding. She said, “He was curious about and involved in every aspect of BGC’s work, and he was instrumental to our growth.”

In 2008, Hewat-Jaboor co-curated the exhibition, Thomas Hope: Regency Designer, and served as co-editor for its catalogue. In addition, he supported some of BGC’s most iconic exhibitions, including William Kent: Designing Georgian Britain (2013–14) and James “Athenian” Stuart, 1713–1788: The Rediscovery of Antiquity (2006–07), among others. He joined the Bard Graduate Center Board of Trustees in 2015 and chaired the nominating committee from 2019 through 2021.

Philip will be deeply missed. Our sympathies go out to his husband Rodney Keenan and his many friends.