Sufjan Stevens has dedicated his new album, Javelin, to his late partner, Evans Richardson IV, who died in April at the age of 43. “He was an absolute gem of a person, full of life, love, laughter, curiosity, integrity, and joy,” Stevens wrote of Richrdson on Tumblr. “He was one of those rare and beautiful ones you find only once in a lifetime—precious, impeccable, and absolutely exceptional in every way.” Find Stevens’ full note below.
Richardson was the chief of staff at the Studio Museum in Harlem, New York. He was also the chair of the American Alliance of Museums’ Accreditation Commission.
In 2018, Richardson attended the Academy Awards with Stevens when the musician performed his Oscar-nominated song “Mystery of Love” at the Hollywood ceremony.
Upon learning of Richardson’s death in the spring, Stevens’ collaborator Nico Muhly wrote on Instagram, “There are no words to express adequately the depth of our loss and our gratitude for his life.”
Stevens has used his Tumblr to share personal messages over the years, and he’s been particularly active on the platform in the lead-up to Javelin. He announced last month that he is undergoing intensive treatment for Guillain-Barré syndrome, and he’s shared regular updates on his status and progress as he lives with and receives care for the rare auto-immune disorder.
Sufjan Stevens:
