Sufjan Stevens, a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, paid a moving tribute to his late partner in a statement posted on social media today.
On Friday afternoon, the musician thanked his followers on Tumblr and dedicated the album “to the light of my life, my beloved partner and best friend Evans Richardson, who passed away in April.”
The accompanying image depicts Richardson peacefully lounging on a bed with his eyes closed, sporting an orange beanie and a lilac T-shirt with artwork for the band Helado Negro. This material can only be viewed on the website it came from in order to respect your privacy preferences.
Richardson was “an absolute gem of a person,” according to Stevens, who went on to say that he was “full of life, love, laughter, curiosity, integrity, and joy.” “He was one of those rare and beautiful ones you find only once in a lifetime—precious, impeccable, and absolutely exceptional in every way,” he wrote.
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Evans Richardson Obituary
Richardson passed away on April 30; he was 43 years old. Richardson, who was raised in St. Louis, Missouri, worked as the chief of staff at the Studio Museum in Harlem, which features the creations of Black artists.
In 2021, he was chosen to lead the accrediting commission of the American Alliance of Museums, with “a focus on diversity and access for the communities they serve.”
Queer audiences have long admired Grammy and Oscar-nominated singer Sufjan Stevens because they can identify with his sensitive, nuanced, and frequently cryptic lyrics. Stevens has never before come out in public about his sexuality. In his final words, he acknowledged that “relationships can be very difficult sometimes.”
Sufjan Stevens dedicates his new album JAVELIN to his “beloved partner and best friend Evans Richardson,” who passed away earlier this year.
“He was an absolute gem of a person, full of life, love, laughter, curiosity, integrity, and joy.” pic.twitter.com/BTvEe6cEnL
— Erik Anderson (@awards_watch) October 6, 2023
“But it’s always worth it to put in the hard work and care for the ones you love, especially the beautiful ones, who are few and far between,” he wrote. “If you happen to find that kind of love, hold it close, hold it tight, savor it, tend to it, and give it everything you’ve got, especially in times of trouble.”
“Be kind, be strong, be patient, be forgiving, be vigorous, be wise, and be yourself. Live every day as if it is your last, with fullness and grace, with reverence and love, with gratitude and joy. This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Sufjan Stevens Has Had Health Concerns For Years
Using Instagram, Sufjan Stevens posted a selfie on September 20, 2023. He claimed that since receiving a Guillain-Barre syndrome diagnosis, his ability to walk has been impacted.
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He said in his letter that while he was in the hospital, he was unable to take part in news conferences or promotional events. He claimed that he started having symptoms last month, including the inability to feel his arms, hands, and legs.
He claimed that at an ER, he had a few tests. He has Guillian-Barre syndrome, according to the test results, and has begun receiving therapy for it. When discussing the treatment’s effects, he said:
“Very scary, but it worked. I spent about two weeks in Med/Surg, stuck in a bed, while my doctors did all the things to keep me alive and stabilize my condition. I owe them my life.”
Sufjan Stevens stated in a letter that he had begun physical therapy and would soon be able to walk once more.
