Atsuko Murayama-Shilowitz

She is survived by her daughter Yumi Shilowitz Ross of Highland Park, Ill, her son George Shilowitz of New York City, and her treasured grandchildren Ian and Camryn Ross, Drew and Teddy Schneider.

She received her high school degree from Futaba, Sacred Heart, in Tokyo, her college degree from Tsuda College in Tokyo, and her master’s degree from Columbia University’s Teachers College. A lifelong love for avant-garde art and design inspired her work as an art dealer in New York City where she worked with Andy Warhol, Louise Nevelson, and Hiroshi Senju, among many other artists.

Ever connected to her Japanese heritage, she was also very engaged in New York’s community of Japanese artists and strove to raise awareness of her native culture in the United States in addition to bringing major art exhibitions to Japan. Keenly interested in Japanese history, she worked closely with Beate Sirota Gordon on the Japanese publication of one of Gordon’s books about how women’s rights came to be included in the creation of Japan’s first constitution. Her children and grandchildren, friends, contemporary art and ideas were her life’s passions and she continually dreamt up new projects that she hoped would further global understanding.

A memorial visitation & service for Atsuko will be held Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 10 AM at Frank E. Campbell - The Funeral Chapel, 1076 Madison Ave, New York, New York 10028.