We pay tribute to renowned Star Wars poster artist Noriyoshi Ohrai.
Noriyoshi Ohrai's career took off with his Star Wars illustrations
Talented and respected Japanese illustrator Noriyoshi Ohrai passed away earlier this week at the age of 79. Although in life he was an incredibly private man, his distinctive artwork has earnt him worldwide recognition.
Born in 1939, Noriyoshi Ohrai produced a variety of illustrations for music albums, model kits and books, but it was his artwork for the Japanese Star Wars posters that delivered international attention and acclaim.
Having won the Seiun Best Artist Award for his Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back poster, Noriyoshi Ohrai was later awarded the Miyazaki Prefecture Culture Award in 2014 for his monumental artistic accomplishments.
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In tribute to the great artist, we've collected together the Star Wars artwork that secured Noriyoshi Ohrai's global fame and enduring legacy.
This poster for A New Hope flips a famous scene upside down
Noriyoshi Ohrai's poster for The Empire Strikes Back
His distinctive style earnt him worldwide fame
His illustrations covered posters, books, and computer games
In 2014 he was awarded the Miyazaki Prefecture Culture Award
For more stellar Star Wars illustrations featuring portraits, posters, comics, illustrations and more, be sure to check out our exclusive 180-page book The Art of Film: Star Wars special.
Dom Carter is a freelance writer who specialises in art and design. Formerly a staff writer for Creative Bloq, his work has also appeared on Creative Boom and in the pages of ImagineFX, Computer Arts, 3D World, and .net. He has been a D&AD New Blood judge, and has a particular interest in picture books.
