Frank Kozik, the long-lasting graphic artist behind album covers together with The Offspring’s Americana and Queens of the Stone Age’s self-titled debut, has died. He was 61 years previous.
Kozik’s demise was confirmed by his spouse Sharon, who didn’t give a explanation for demise however stated his passing was “surprising.”
In an announcement she stated: “We’re devastated to tell you that Frank Kozik handed away unexpectedly this previous Saturday. Frank was a person bigger than himself, an icon in every of the genres he labored in. He dramatically modified each business he was part of. He was a artistic pressure of nature. We’re so past fortunate and honored to have been a part of his journey and he might be missed past what phrases might ever categorical.”
“He liked his spouse, his cats, basic muscle vehicles, mentoring others and Disneyland. His forceful presence might be missed by all who knew him. His legacy, like all nice masters, will love on via his artwork and our recollections of him. Extra data on a memorial service will come quickly. For now, we ask you please respect our privateness throughout this attempting time.”
Born on Jan. 9, 1962 in Madrid, Spain, Kozik spent his youth rising up beneath Spain’s fascist dictator Franco. As a teen, he moved to the U.S., residing first in Sacramento along with his father earlier than becoming a member of the Air Drive, which noticed him stationed in Austin.
A self-taught artist, in his late teenagers he started creating art work for associates’ bands, beginning with black and white flyers pasted to phone poles. He quickly moved into live performance posters, together with giant silkscreen prints, for bands akin to Pearl Jam, The White Stripes, The Beastie Boys, Inexperienced Day, Neil Younger and Nirvana. He additionally directed plenty of music movies, amongst them Soundgarden’s “Fairly Noose.”
Kozik finally began his personal document label, Man’s Smash Data, releasing over 200 singles and albums by artists together with the Intercourse Pistols and Queens of the Stone Age (whose debut single was launched via Man’s Smash Data). Kozik additionally designed many of the art work. Within the early Nineteen Nineties Kozik closed his label to give attention to different media, together with toys and collectibles. He turned chief artistic officer of collectibles firm Kidrobot, designing over 500 restricted version figures together with his iconic Labbit characters (vinyl smoking rabbits) for which he collaborated with licensees akin to D.C. and Marvel to create superhero-inspired variations.
His work, which impressed a technology of graphic artists and collectible toy designers, additionally noticed him collaborate with manufacturers akin to Nike and Swatch.
Numerous musicians and artists paid tribute to Kozik on social media together with drummer Martin Atkins, who has labored with Public Picture Ltd (PiL), 9 Inch Nails and Killing Joke. Atkins tweeted: “So sorry to listen to of the passing of Frank Kozik. One in all his first posters was #pigface in 1991 which he graciously allowed us to breed a few years in the past. RIP brother.”
Label Rocket Recordings additionally paid tribute, writing: “Saddened to listen to the information in regards to the very premature demise of Frank Kozik. He was an enormous affect on the early days of Rocket, a lot so he designed our first brand. An enormous and unhappy loss for DIY artwork and tradition. Relaxation In Energy Frank.”