King Crimson artist Francesca Sundsten has died

King Crimson
King Crimson

Artist Francesca Sundsten, whose work was closely associated with King Crimson, has died.

The news was confirmed on King Crimson’s DGM Live website, where it’s reported that she died from complications due to lymphoma.

Born in 1960, Sundsten’s work – which included the famous Cyclops image – appeared on Crimson’s covers, tour books and posters since 2014 – including the band’s 2019 50th anniversary tour poster. 

She also designed the cover for Bill Rieflin, Robert Fripp and Trey Gunn’s 1999 album The Repercussions of Angelic Behavior.

Fripp says: “Francesca Sundsten had a unique way of seeing things – with strange, mysterious and sometimes disturbing developing-variations on her theme. I have no idea where any of this came from. 

“I think it unlikely that Francesca had any sense of her power and status as an artist, nor quite how her work moved and affected people. 

“We have Francescas all over our home, where they have been part of our lives well before Francesca’s seeings came to present and represent aspects of King Crimson. This is a consolation, the ongoing presence of a yet-to-be fully appreciated talent and a much-missed friend.”

A retrospective collection of Sundsten’s work will be on display at the Hall Spassov Gallery in Seattle from today (August 8).

Scott Munro
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Scott has spent 36 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 11 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.