James Rizzi (1950 – 2011) was an American Pop artist with a degree in fine arts from the University of Florida. His work is characterized by bright colors, complex graphics and cheerful symbols. Rizzi’s work includes many scenes from the life of his hometown, New York. His breakthrough moment can be considered 1974, when he was hired to create an advertisement for the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Next Wave festival. In 2008, Rizzi became the first artist commissioned by the German government to design official stamps.