Richard Hamilton, pop art pioneer, has died

Richard Hamilton died yesterday at the age of 89. A prolific visual artist, Hamilton designed the Beatles’ White Album artwork, as well as photographing icons such as The Rolling Stones during the height of their career. He was apparently working on new material up until his death.

Considered by many to be a leading figure in the dawning of the pop art movement, Hamilton blazed through the 1960s with a series of iconic, era-realising images – in particular, his collage Just What is it that Makes Today’s Homes So Different, So Appealing? became symbolic to many as the beginnings of the movement.

Hamilton famously said himself that “Pop Art should be popular, transient, expendable, low-cost, mass-produced, young, witty, sexy, gimmicky, glamorous, and big business,” and made the most of this ethos by capturing the vibrancy of the musical climate of the time in his images.

It is not yet known how he died. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.