British Op Art pioneer Jeffrey Steele dies at 90, leaving legacy of geometric abstraction

Jeffrey Steele, a British artist recognized as an Op Art pioneer, has died. His career began in the 1960s with black-and-white geometric abstractions that created optical movement. These works were featured in MoMA's influential 1965 exhibition The Responsive Eye. Steele later co-founded the Systems Group in the 1970s, shifting to color and mathematical compositions. His first solo exhibition was at London's Institute of Contemporary Arts in 1961. He participated in over 100 group shows, including Cybernetic Serendipity at the ICA in 1968. His art is held by major institutions like Tate, the British Museum, and the Victoria & Albert Museum. Steele also taught at Portsmouth School of Art for many years.