On Saturday 10 February, our ballot committee member Dr Bea Vater-Dobberstein from Krefeld passed away at the age of 81.
With her husband Axel Vater, she was also of great significance for our organisation, as well as for the art world. With her husband, she formed a close unit. Together they dedicated themselves to promoting and serving the visual arts, especially contemporary visual arts. In addition, she was a great lover of nature. An area in which she was a graduate. In that area, too, she was fully committed. In the 1970s, we got to know Bea and Axel. A close working relationship developed. We first met at the Grosse Kunstausstellung – an important annual exhibition in the Kunstpalast in Düsseldorf. For that organisation, they fulfilled an important role. It was a privilege to have Bea on our balloting committee. She was important to us as a recognised art lover and as an expert art connoisseur. Her punctuality, sense of responsibility, correctness, modesty and her neutral input made her a valued contributor to our organisation. In addition, she wanted to give promising young artists a chance. Her relentless commitment to art allowed her to have a large network at her disposal.
Her major concern was to house her late husband’s extensive collection of works in a suitable organisation. In this context, the Axel Vater Stiftung was established. She made a giant donation to the Kreismuseum Zons with a collection of Jugend Stil and Art Deco works. Works by Axel were also included in the Museum Schloss Moyland in Bedburg-Hau.
Until her death, she remained committed to the visual arts. For instance, she recently judged the entries for the upcoming Huntenkunst. It was an honour for us to get to know and work with her. In gratitude, we think back to her for all she meant to our organisation. Like the ashes of her husband Axel, the Baltic Sea has also become her last home.
