Ben Morea
American painter and anarchist activist (1941–2026)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Benjamin Anthony Morea (October 8, 1941 – May 2, 2026) was an American painter, anarchist activist, and co-founder of Up Against the Wall Motherfucker.[1] He was a friend of social theorist Murray Bookchin and of radical feminist Valerie Solanas.[2][3]
October 8, 1941
Ben Morea | |
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Morea in 2024 | |
| Born | Benjamin Anthony Morea October 8, 1941 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | May 2, 2026 (aged 84) Gardner, Colorado, U.S. |
| Occupations | Painter, activist |
Life and career
Benjamin Anthony Morea was born into poverty in Brooklyn, New York City, on October 8, 1941.[4][5] He became addicted to heroin and discovered painting while incarcerated and in drug rehabilitation.[6] In the 1960s, he adopted a style of abstract expressionism and befriended the co-founders of the Living Theatre.[7] In 1966, he co-founded the group Black Mask alongside Dan Georgakas, along with a semi-monthly newspaper of the same name.[8] Today, the newspapers are of tremendous value, often reaching hundreds of dollars.[9] The group participated in Angry Arts Week in 1967.[10]
In 1968, the name "Black Mask" was changed to Up Against the Wall Motherfucker, which essentially operated as a street gang.[11] The gang carried out most of its activities in the Lower East Side and staunchly supported the events of May 68.[12] After the group's dissolution, Morea and his wife moved to the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness in Colorado.[13] In 2023, he attended the St. Imier Anti-Authoritarian International Gathering in Switzerland.[14]
Ben Morea died on May 2, 2026, after collapsing at his property in Gardner, Colorado, at the age of 84.[15][16]