Erika Iris Simmons to Create Artwork for the Grammy Awards

The Recording Academy® has announced the selection of artist Erika Iris Simmons to create the official artwork for the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards®. The work depicts the iconic GRAMMY® image composed with half-inch studio recording tape, a true celebration of recording excellence. It will be used as the official artwork for the world's premier music event and will grace the cover of the GRAMMY Awards program book, telecast tickets and promotional poster. The 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held Feb. 10, 2013, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. (ET/PT).

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"We are delighted to announce our collaboration Erika Iris Simmons to create the official artwork for the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "Erika's unique concept of creating a GRAMMY with recording tape speaks to the history of recorded music and celebrates the tradition and timelessness of music's most prestigious honor. We are grateful to work with such a gifted and exceptional artist."

Princeton, N.J.-basEd Simmons, who is professionally known as iri5, is a self-taught artist who uses recycled materials and reimagines them in to unique artistic pieces. A number of her projects include art created by unspooling reels of cassette, video and studio recording tape in a series titled "Ghost In The Machine." Many of the images Simmons creates depict legendary recording artists, with the end result being an image of a musician rendered with the medium that made them famous. In 2009, her artwork inspired the music video for GRAMMY winner Bruno Mars' "Just The Way You Are." Her imaginative creations, which fuse pop art and postmodernism, have garnered attention from publishers and many of her pieces are on display internationally.

Simmons joins a growing list of talented artist including Frank Gehry, Shepard Fairey and Peter Max who have created the annual official GRAMMY artwork.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @TheGRAMMYs on Twitter, like "The GRAMMYs" on Facebook, and join The GRAMMYs' social communities on YouTube, Tumblr, Foursquare, GetGlue, and Instagram