Scale Study for Cataract Series

1965

“The Responsive Eye” at MoMA

She takes part in “The Responsive Eye,” curated by William C. Seitz at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the exhibition that first draws worldwide attention to her work and to the Op Art movement; her painting “Current” (1964) is reproduced on the catalogue cover. Artists had no copyright protection in the United States at the time and commercial concerns exploited her work, which leaves her disillusioned with such exhibitions; legislation was eventually passed in 1967 after an initiative by New York-based artists.

1968

The International Prize at the Venice Biennale

She represents Great Britain at the Venice Biennale, where she is the first British contemporary painter, and the first woman, to be awarded the International Prize for painting.

1968

Founding the artists’ organisation SPACE

With Sedgley and the journalist Peter Townsend she creates the artists’ organisation SPACE (Space Provision Artistic Cultural and Educational), with the goal of providing artists with large, affordable studio space.

27. Juni 1968 – 6. Oktober 1968

Exhibition: 4. documenta

1969

Death of Maurice de Sausmarez

Maurice de Sausmarez dies; his monograph on Riley is published after his death, in 1970. Riley has often cited his role as her early mentor.