Primary Wave acquires interests in album art collection from Aubrey ‘Po’ Powell, co-founder of British design studio Hipgnosis

Primary Wave Music has acquired Aubrey “Po” Powell’s interests in the album art collection of Hipgnosis – the British design studio co-founded by Powell that created some of the most recognizable album covers in rock history.

The deal was announced on Monday (May 18).

That collection spans Powell’s interests in the album art created for the likes of AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Def Leppard, Genesis, Yes, Foreigner, Bad Company, Styx, and more.

A press release notes that the acquisition also includes objects used in the creation of Hipgnosis‘ work – including original model biplanes used in Pink Floyd‘s Point Me at the Sky promotional film and one of the original sculptures captured on the cover of Led Zeppelin‘s Presence album.

Primary Wave said it will continue to collaborate with Powell to create global exhibitions of the Hipgnosis catalog, including pieces that have not previously been displayed publicly.

Hipgnosis, not to be confused with the song rights company of the same name, was the design studio founded by Powell and the late Storm Thorgerson after Pink Floyd asked them to design the cover for their second album, A Saucerful of Secrets, in the late 1960s.

Thorgerson died in 2013.

Before his death, Thorgerson granted his friend Merck Mercuriadis the right to use the Hipgnosis name for Mercuriadis‘ own venture – which, via music rights acquisitions, became Hipgnosis Songs Fund.

That entity was subsequently rebranded as Recognition Music Group by Blackstone last year; Sony Music Publishing agreed to acquire its catalog of over 45,000 songs earlier this month.

Mercuriadis has since revived the Hipgnosis name for a new venture targeting artist management companies and catalog acquisitions.

Commenting on the deal, Lexi Todd, Deputy COO of Primary Wave said: “We’re beyond excited to partner with Po on one of the most influential visual catalogs in music history.

“This artwork did more than just accompany records; it shaped how generations of audiences experienced the music itself.

“Primary Wave looks forward to honoring that deep connection between sound and image by ensuring these iconic works continue to inspire music fans around the world.”

“Primary Wave looks forward to honoring that deep connection between sound and image by ensuring these iconic works continue to inspire music fans around the world.”

Lexi Todd, Primary Wave

Powell added: “When Primary Wave showed an interest in the legacy of Hipgnosis imagery it was music to my ears.

“For too long I had been approached to sell off bits and pieces of my collection which did not interest me, and I yearned for a company who understood the importance of the work in its entirety and the recognition as a serious art form.”

“For too long I had been approached to sell off bits and pieces of my collection which did not interest me, and I yearned for a company who understood the importance of the work in its entirety and the recognition as a serious art form.”

Aubrey “Po” Powell

Added Powell: “I was at an impasse having reached a respectable grade of exhibitions, but without the backup, the connections and the teamwork required to move on up I could expand no further.

“Primary Wave has offered that support and collaboration – we are in sync and I am looking forward to seeing Hipgnosis grow on the global stage. Exciting times ahead.”

Powell was recently the subject of the documentary Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis), directed by Anton Corbijn, which was nominated for a PGA Award for Outstanding Producer of Documentary Motion Pictures.

He has also continued to work as creative director on Pink Floyd projects – including the exhibition Their Mortal Remains at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London in 2017, and anniversary campaigns for The Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here.

The Hipgnosis artwork deal is the latest in a run of acquisitions for Primary Wave, which describes itself as “the leading independent publisher of iconic and legendary music in the world.”

The Larry Mestel-led company closed its fourth flagship music fund at $2.225 billion last month, and in March announced a definitive agreement to acquire Kobalt from Francisco Partners – a transaction expected to close in Q3 2026.

Earlier this month, Primary Wave struck a partnership with Pete Townshend covering the co-founder of The Who‘s name, image, and likeness rights.

Founded in 2006, Primary Wave‘s portfolio spans rights in the music of Prince, Bob Marley, Whitney Houston, Stevie Nicks, James Brown, Def Leppard, Aerosmith, and many others.Music Business Worldwide