Pop artist Derek Boshier dead at 87
After providing stunning images for a variety of rock royalty, acclaimed pop artist Derek Boshier has passed away at the age of 87.
Famed for working with rock veterans like The Clash and David Bowie, Boshier had prided himself on bringing working-class images of England into his work.
Boshier’s publicist, Daniel Bee, confirmed the artist’s death in a press release, stating, “Derek Boshier undoubtedly helped create and define the pop art movement in London and the USA. His observations and comments around popular culture spanning the last 60 years is clear to be seen in the world’s greatest museums and galleries. He will be greatly missed.”
Working alongside Allen Jones and David Hockney, Boshier started at the Royal College of Art in London. In addition to his own work, he also taught at the Central School of Art Design, teaching acolytes such as The Clash’s Joe Strummer.
After working with the punk rock guitarist, he was commissioned to create various art pieces, which appear in the booklet alongside the group’s sophomore release, Give ‘Em Enough Rope. Upon discovering his work through his exhibit, Lives, ‘The Starman’ would eventually meet with Boshier after being introduced by fellow art luminaries Brian Duffy, then known as the photographer behind the iconic Aladdin Sane cover shot.
From there, Bowie would commission Boshier to work on various album sleeves for him. Boshier originally worked with him during the end of his ‘Berlin period’ for the cover and inside sleeve of the album Lodger. This led to Boshier framing the iconic shot of Bowie with boxing gloves on for the cover of his pop smash, Let’s Dance.
After working on the visuals for the accompanying Serious Moonlight tour, Boshier remembered Bowie praising him up until his passing, telling Vice, “David is a musician and is also a great lyricist, and it’s only a very small thing [he did in the email], and it’s a thing that a lyricist would do: He said, “Derek, I’ve got to write to you to say how much I love your Rethink/re-entry book. Your work cascades down the decades.” Cascades down the decades! It’s just a little thing, just a little bit of poetics, and that’s what he was also good at.”
For the past few decades, Boshier has been incredibly proactive living in Los Angeles, making various dioramas and collages that focus on issues of politics, war, sex, and pop culture.
