New York City.- James Rizzi, the world famous pop artist died peacefully in his sleep at his studio in SoHo, New York, the night after Christmas. Rizzi’s managers, Art 28 GmbH & Co. KG, based in Stuttgart, Germany, said in a statement on its website that the artist died peacefully at his studio in New York’s SoHo district on Monday. They gave no cause of death, but he was known to have had a heart condition. His sudden and unexpected death comes as a shock to family, friends, and collectors alike. James Rizzi became famous for the 3D paper sculptures he invented, the playful and childlike forms and bright colors were to become his artistic trademark.