Today we learned the sad news that one of New Zealand's most influential visual artists - Billy Apple - has died.
He was an Arts Foundation Icon and an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Born in 1935 in Auckland as Barrie Bates, he reinvented himself in 1962 as 'Billy Apple' - which he trademarked. Shortly after, he went on to collaborate with Andy Warhol in the Pop Art Exhibition 'The American Supermarket'.
His work was shown in international galleries like the Guggenheim Museum and Tate Britain, and The Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki recently held a retrospective exhibition of his work
Art historian and director of The Adam Art Gallery, Christina Barton, only last year published a biography on his life and work. She talks to Jesse about his life and legacy.
Billy Apple at the NZ Arts Foundation Awards 2018, where he was honoured an Icon Award. Photo: Mark Tantrum
