Jeremy Ayers

Jeremy Ayers (1948 – October 24, 2016) was an American artist, writer, photographer, and musician.

A member of the Athens, Georgia, creative community, Ayers was a Warhol superstar under the name Sylva Thinn early in his career and wrote a column for Andy Warhol's Interview magazine. He published three books of photography, and co-wrote songs for the B-52's and R.E.M. In 2021, a newly discovered species of ant (Strumigenys ayersthey) was named in his honor.

Life and death

Born Charles Jerry Ayers, he grew up in Athens, Georgia. His father Robert H. Ayers was a civil rights advocate and taught theology at the University of Georgia.

In the late 1970s, Ayers returned to Athens. In the early 1980s, along with four friends, he founded the avant-garde band Limbo District, and was percussionist for the group. Ayers was also credited as co-writer of the song "52 Girls" by the B-52's, released as the B-side of their 1978 debut single and on their 1979 debut album. In addition to photographs taken by Ayers, the exhibit included photography done by other artists taken "in the same spirit" of his work. After receiving the blessing of Stipe, Booher decided to name the ant Strumigenys ayersthey after Ayers. According to Booher, Ayers himself identified as a gay man; the "they" suffix was intended to honor both Ayers's LGBT activism and the non-binary community.