Artist James Rosenquist dies at 83

Artist James Rosenquist, a leading figure of the 1960s pop art movement known for his room-sized works, has died at the age of 83, his studio said.

Artist James Rosenquist, a key figure in the pop art movement, has died. He was 83. (AAP)

Artist James Rosenquist, a key figure in the pop art movement, has died. He was 83.

Rosenquist's wife, Mimi Thompson, told The New York Times that he died on Friday in New York City after a long illness.

Rosenquist started by painting signs and billboard advertisements in Times Square and other public places. He later incorporated images from popular culture, from celebrities to consumer goods, into his work.

He helped define the genre of colour-bursting displays of common objects that was also championed by the likes Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.

His celebrated 1962 painting of Marilyn Monroe was created shortly after her death and shows fragmented images of the global star that includes a segment of the Coca-Cola brand name.

One of his most famous pieces was F-111, which superimposes a Vietnam War fighter-bomber on images of children and consumer goods.

Rosenquist's work has been featured in solo exhibitions at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art and other institutions.