Richard Hamilton 1922 - 2011

British artist Richard Hamilton, pioneer of Pop art, has died at the age of 89. His best known work was his 1956 collage 'Just What Is It That Makes Today's Home's So Different, So Appealing?

He also designed the cover for The Beatles' White Album which is the only Beatles album not to feature the four band members. He explained  "Peter Blake's album sleeve (for Sgt Pepper) was crowded with people and very colourful. I thought it would be appropriate to present an album that was just white."

Hamilton was also distrustful of the political establishment. He produced works about, among others, Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair. Shock and Awe (2007-08) featured Tony Blair wearing a cowboy shirt, with guns and holsters. Hamilton said he produced the image after he saw Blair "looking smug" following a conference with George Bush. Tony Blair looking smug - surely not!