We’re sorry to report the passing of artist Chris Moore, a world famous commercial illustrator best known for his science fiction art, who was equally at home in other genres. He was 78.
His family has asked that donations in his memory be made to Myeloma UK.
Publisher John Jarrold, commenting on his passing, described Chris as “a great man and a wonderful artist”, while fellow artist Bob Eggleton described the news as “heartbreaking” and, separately, that “I shall always remember his guitar playing, not to mention his stunning art.”
Author Stephen Gallagher, author of The Art of Chris Moore, described him as “one of the great people in my life and a good friend, a self-deprecating artist of astounding talent.”
“And so we lose yet another irreplaceable and outstanding artist in our genre, very much to the world’s detriment,” noted artist Michael Whelan. “His was a singular talent, such a clear eyed precision and sparkling beauty in his work! It never failed to stop me in my tracks wherever I encountered it, be it on a book cover or in its original form in a show. Such a sad loss; my condolences to his family.”
Born in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, in 1947, Chris Moore was long recognised as a master of hi-tech, hi-sheen science fiction illustration, his work often gracing the covers of classic science fiction novels by Isaac Asimov, Alfred Bester, Samuel R. Delany, Philip K Dick, Larry Niven, Frederick Pohl, and many others.
Alongside book cover art, he was also well known for his work in advertising, designing record sleeves, and providing concept art for the likes of Stanley Kubrick and George Lucas. His tie-in wallpaper designs for The Empire Strikes Back graced many a Star Wars fan’s bedroom.
Growing up drawing vehicles such as aeroplanes and cars for hours, after studying at the Royal College of Art to study Illustration between 1969 and 1972, gaining practical experience with illustration commissions for his fellow students in the Graphic Design department, he joined with Michael Morris, also an RCA graduate, to form Moore Morris Ltd., a Covent Garden-based design group that lasted until 1980, when Moore married and moved out of the centre of London.
He first started creating science fiction covers for a wide variety of book publishers and magazines in Britain and the United States in 1974, working with art director Peter Bennett at Associated Book Publishers. It was Bennett who suggested that Moore he should try his hand at them, alongside book art for mainstream authors such as Frederick Forsyth, Jackie Collins, and Wilbur Smith.
Asked about the appeal of creating SF art, he told Lightspeed magazine in 2011, “The answer to this question, which I feel many science fiction readers probably don’t want to hear, is that I am essentially a jobbing illustrator who handles pretty much anything that is offered to me provided that it’s interesting in some way. I get the impression that to some extent, the science fiction readership would like one to be more ‘purist’ and ’emotionally involved’ with the subject. I do get emotional about my work, but not exclusively the science fiction. I get the kick from producing something that’s visually exciting, a good idea, and that’s right for the book.”
His album cover credits include work for recording artists such as Rod Stewart (The Vintage Years), Fleetwood Mac (Penguin), Status Quo (Just Supposin! and 12 Gold Bars), and Pentangle (Pentangling) and, YES’s Rick Wakeman (No Earthly Connection).
On his official website Moore, James Leonard-Amodeo notes Moore seemed ever reluctant to promote despite his much admired and much-praised art.
“All I’ve ever wanted over the years has been to gain the respect of my peers,” Moore once said. “They know what it takes to survive and succeed in this business. I’d like to think that I’ve not only earned their respect, but also their friendship.”
“The passing of a legend, a great friend, a brilliant artist, a stalwart in our SF community, a generous spirit… and many other things too,” said fellow artist Jim Burns of his passing. “He’ll be hugely missed by many and my sincerest condolences go out to Katie and all the family.”
“What sad news,” commented cartoonist Paul Davies. “Chris and I were both on the committee of the Association of Illustrators back in the 70s. He was a lovely bloke and a superb illustrator who’s work was a treat to see.“
“I’m so very sorry to hear this,” said artist Andrew Skilleter. “As a contemporary of his, I always admired his work and journeyman sensibility and remember him as kind and helpful on calls we had, even though I didn’t know him well.“
“He was always (and forever will be) a great inspiration,” said artist Nick Stathopolous. “His work was so thoroughly detailed and composed. He never fudged anything. One of my early influenced and heroes.“
“[Chris] had a great sense of humour,” notes comic creator Tim Perkins, who first met in Moore the early 2000s and staying in touch, meeting up with Chris occasionally at different functions. “His work will live on, but anyone who was lucky enough to share time with him will miss him greatly.”
Chris is survived by his wife, Katie, and his four children.
Christopher Norton Moore – 1st June 1947, died 7th February 2025
• Chris Moore Official Site: chrismooreillustration.co.uk
• Prints of Chris Moore’s work are available through Chris Moore’s agent, Artist Partners Limited
There’s an interview with on Artist Partners here about his daily life as an artist
Further Reading
• Chris Moore entry in the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction
• Lightspeed – Artist Spotlight: Chris Moore
Chris Moore talks about the background of his cover for a cover of Lightspeed, “Blindfold.” Includes a small gallery of his art
• Futurism – Sci-Fi Artist Chris Moore’s Illustrative Universe – article by Natasha Sydor
• NeverWas: The Art of Chris Moore
Gallery of Chris’s art
Journeyman: the Art of Chris Moore by Stephen Gallagher (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
This book explores Moore’s life, art, and technique
Parallel Lines
Featured the art of Chris Moore and Peter Elson, who passed away in 1999
Dream Makers by Martyn Dean
Features art by Melvyn Grant, Julek Heller, Michael Kaluta, Berni Wrightson, Charles Vess and Chris
- About the Author
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Art and Illustration, Books, downthetubes News, Features, Obituaries, Other Worlds
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Very sad to hear this.
Chris Moore’s covers seemed to grace every good SF reissue in the 90s and early 2000s. I always felt it was a strange choice by publisher Gollancz to switch the colours on Moore’s covers to some kind of “garish negative version” of the original in later reissues in the SF Masterworks series, one of which you’ve used here for the Revelation Space cover, I think.
Not quite sure what Lightspeed Magazine’s claim is to the Blindfold art in 2011, it first appeared on a book of the same name by Kevin J Anderson around 1999 (the Lightspeed interview mentions this in passing, but it’s kind of buried in there).
Chris Moore will be one of our featured artists in Illustrators Quarterly’s Summer issue No. 48. I spoke with him last week, and though I knew he was battling with cancer, we spoke for about three hours and he seemed to be doing fine. His passing came as a surprise, for I thought the worse was over. Anyway, we will see a small portion of his legacy in a future Illustrators issue.
Delighted to learn Chris will feature in illustrators – thank you for letting us know.
Dear John
What a wonderful editorial memoriam piece you have created to Chris Moore and his work – As his agent for over 45 years I was always in awe of his utterly superb artworks. Chris was a delight to work with, his unassuming and gentle manner belying his amazing creative talents. Chris was always a great mentor to other fellow artists and the younger AP talents always sharing his knowledge – a kind and gentle person with the highest ethics and standards. I for one will miss him greatly as a dear friend – he has left us too soon – but he leaves behind a huge legacy of amazing work. We are all bereft –
Would you mind if I use this and post onto the Artist Partners website with your credit John ?
many thanks – Christine Isteed / Artist Partners Limited