Ray Smith Art

American, Mexican, b. 1959

Ray Smith is a contemporary artist who combines the techniques of print- and collage-making with a Cubist aesthetic in his unique signature compositions. His abstract paintings and sculptures can often be classified as Surrealist for their otherworldly qualities. Smith uses anthropomorphism and visual juxtaposition to jar the viewer and give his creations a magically alien quality.

Smith was born in Texas in 1959 but grew up in Central Mexico. He attended art school in both countries before settling in Cuernavaca, Mexico; he also regularly traveled to New York. He held his first solo exhibitions in Mexico at the Instituto Mexicano Norteamericano de Relaciones Culturales in 1979 and in New York at Tower Gallery in 1984.

Smith’s work grew in prestige and popularity over the years for its exuberant style and cross-cultural sensibilities. He drew as much from famed European artists like Pablo Picasso as from the traditional Mexican muralists, exploring themes such as birth, family, culture, war, politics and death. By 1989, Smith was participating in the Whitney Biennial in New York City.

Smith has continued to exhibit his work in the United States and Mexico. His paintings are in the collections of the Brooklyn Museum, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Centro Cultural de Arte Contemporáneo in Mexico City.

In 2019, Smith held a “Celebrating 10 Years of Ray Smith Studio” exhibition at his studio in Brooklyn, New York. Today, he splits his time between New York and Cuernavaca, Mexico.

On 1stDibs, find Ray Smith’s paintings, sculptures and other art.

Ray SmithSueño de un Boy Scout by Ray Smith surreal nude print in green and yellow, 1988-89

$750

Sueño de un Boy Scout by Ray Smith surreal nude print in green and yellow

By Ray Smith

Located in New York, NY

Ray Smith elucidates the "Dream of a Boy Scout" in this surreal green, red, and yellow wood cut print. A woman with two faces sits nude within a diamond-shaped gold field of color, reaching up with her hand and out with her leg to touch the corners of the diamond, which each nestle a light fixture. Sueño de un Boy Scout, 1988-9 Woodcut in black, red and green, on oiled Japon, signed and dated in black ink, numbered 1/30 (there were also 3 artist's proofs) 25 x 39 in. Per the Broad: "Ray Smith’s paintings incorporate surrealistic and animistic tendencies informed by his Latin heritage as well as deep study of the history of modern art. Smith was born near the Texas/Mexico border...

Category

1980s Pop Art Ray Smith Art

Materials

Woodcut

Ray Smith"The Wait" 2020 signed original limited edition silkscreen 12x18in abstract, 2020

$300

"The Wait" 2020 signed original limited edition silkscreen 12x18in abstract

By Ray Smith

Located in Miami, FL

Ray Smith (United States, 1959) 'La Espera', 2020 Silkscreen on paper. Edition of 50 11.7 x 17.8 in. (29.5 x 45 cm.) Ref: SMI-101 Ray Smith (American, b.1959) Born in Brownsville, T...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Ray Smith Art

Materials

Ink, Screen

Ray SmithCartas de Japon by Ray Smith surreal Dali esque print Japanese portfolio, 1988-89

$1,250

Cartas de Japon by Ray Smith surreal Dali esque print Japanese portfolio

By Ray Smith

Located in New York, NY

Ray Smith's aptitude for the surreal is apparent in this portfolio of six drypoint prints, presented in a portfolio case. Each image depicts an intriguing, fantastic landscape populated with chimeric nudes. Each one is carefully printed to appear as if doodled on lined notebook paper with ballpoint pen: Japanese letter paper chine-colle on Kizuki Hosho paper. Translated as "Letters from Japan," Cartas de Japon plays on tropes of an exotic, faraway land. The series of prints perhaps pictures Japan in the imagination of westerners, who for centuries speculated that those from other continents had wildly different bodies and customs. The title may be a reference to iconic Mexican director Carlos Velo's 1973 film Letters from Japan. Cartas del Japon, 1988-89 Portfolio of 6 drypoint prints printed on Japanese letter paper mounted on Kizuki Hosho paper Plate 6 x 7.8 in. Paper 18 x 23.4 in. Ed. 30 with three artist proofs. Printed by Hideharu Mishio, Norimasa Mizutani, and Marie Okada at Woodblock Workshop. Published by AC&T CORPORATION, Tokyo, 1989. Per the Broad: "Ray Smith’s paintings incorporate surrealistic and animistic tendencies informed by his Latin heritage as well as deep study of the history of modern art. Smith was born near the Texas/Mexico border...

Category

1980s Pop Art Ray Smith Art

Materials

Drypoint

Ray SmithWhite Mirror, 2018

$15,000

White Mirror

By Ray Smith

Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos

Painted mirror in white

Category

2010s Abstract Ray Smith Art

Materials

Mirror

Ray SmithSerie: Abstractos con espejo 8, 2016

$1,500

Serie: Abstractos con espejo 8

By Ray Smith

Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos

Mixed technique

Category

2010s Contemporary Ray Smith Art

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Paint

Ray SmithSerie: Mujeres con espejo 5, 2016

$1,500

Serie: Mujeres con espejo 5

By Ray Smith

Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos

Mixed technique

Category

2010s Contemporary Ray Smith Art

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Paint

Ray SmithYellow Mirror, 2018

$15,000

Yellow Mirror

By Ray Smith

Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos

Painted mirror in yellow

Category

2010s Abstract Ray Smith Art

Materials

Mirror

Ray SmithRed Mirror, 2018

$15,000

Red Mirror

By Ray Smith

Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos

Painted mirror

Category

2010s Abstract Ray Smith Art

Materials

Mirror

Ray SmithVase 5, 2018

$20,000

Vase 5

By Ray Smith

Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos

Vase Ceramics

Category

2010s Ray Smith Art

Materials

Ceramic

Ray SmithVase 3, 2018

$15,000

Vase 3

By Ray Smith

Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos

Vase Ceramics

Category

2010s Ray Smith Art

Materials

Ceramic

Ray SmithVase 2, 2018

$18,000

Vase 2

By Ray Smith

Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos

Vase Ceramics

Category

2010s Ray Smith Art

Materials

Ceramic

Ray SmithVase 6, 2018

$20,000

Vase 6

By Ray Smith

Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos

Vase Ceramics

Category

2010s Ray Smith Art

Materials

Ceramic

Ray SmithVase 1, 2018

$15,000

Vase 1

By Ray Smith

Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos

Vase Ceramics

Category

2010s Ray Smith Art

Materials

Ceramic

Ray SmithBlue Mirror, 2018

$15,000

Blue Mirror

By Ray Smith

Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos

Painted mirror

Category

2010s Abstract Ray Smith Art

Materials

Mirror

Japanese Fishing Boats, Abstract Diptych Screen Print, late 20th Century

$2,500

H 31.5 in W 36 in D 4 in

Japanese Fishing Boats, Abstract Diptych Screen Print

Located in Soquel, CA

Abstract Screen print (Serigraph) composition of Japanese fishing boats in two parts by an unknown artist (20th Century). Signed (possibly "Myketo") a...

Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Ray Smith Art

Materials

Paper, Ink, Screen

Niho KozuruLantern Column I, 1998-2014

$6,500

H 41.75 in W 6.75 in

Lantern Column I

By Niho Kozuru

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Title: Lantern Column I Year: 1998 - 2014 Medium: Mold blown glass, cast polymer, steel, cast iron Size: 41 3/4" inches Niho Kozuru (髙鶴丹穂) is a Japanese-born mixed media artist based in Boston, MA. Kozuru casts and reconfigures molds of her own designs, classical and industrial turned architectural forms in unexpected materials. Using rubber, glass and clay she creates columns with undulating silhouettes. The “Lantern Columns” are a group of 7 towers, ranging from 4 feet to 7 feet tall. They have been shown in various configurations in multiple US States as well as the Fukuoka City Museum in Kyushu, Japan. Kozuru made 60 components by blowing glass into molds of her own designs while at Artists in Residency at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina. After traveling the world, the Lantern Columns have been arranged into their final configuration, with a steel armature within and each topped with a vivid cast iron final...

Category

2010s Abstract Ray Smith Art

Materials

Steel, Iron

Natasha Lelenco"Currency #201" Blue Portrait Artwork with French Text on Red Background, 2024

$222

H 0.99 in Dm 10.24 in

"Currency #201" Blue Portrait Artwork with French Text on Red Background

By Natasha Lelenco

Located in FISTERRA, ES

“Currency #201” is a circular mixed media portrait on wood featuring a surreal blue figure against a vibrant red background. Around the head, the French inscription reads: “Nous, les...

Category

2010s Pop Art Ray Smith Art

Materials

Wood, Spray Paint, Acrylic

Harry BunceTea for two – Tod, 2017

$208

H 16.15 in W 19.3 in D 0.04 in

Tea for two – Tod

By Harry Bunce

Located in Deddington, GB

Tea for two – Tod by Harry Bunce [2017] limited_edition Screen Print Edition number 146 Image size: H:25 cm x W:31 cm Complete Size of Unframed Work: H:41 cm x W:49 cm x D:0.3cm Sol...

Category

2010s Contemporary Ray Smith Art

Materials

Paper, Screen

(Studio of) Michiel van MiereveltDutch Old Master Portrait of Maurits, Prince of Orange-Nassau, Oil on Panel, 17th Century

$10,782

H 37.8 in W 33.47 in D 2.37 in

Dutch Old Master Portrait of Maurits, Prince of Orange-Nassau, Oil on Panel

Located in London, GB

In 1607, the Delft city council decided to commission a portrait of Stadholder Maurits of Nassau for the town hall, with Michiel van Mierevelt as the chosen artist due to the passing...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Ray Smith Art

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

Oil Portrait of a Victorian Lady, c. 1850, c. 1850

$1,480

H 13.75 in W 11.5 in D 1.75 in

Oil Portrait of a Victorian Lady, c. 1850

Located in Chicago, IL

Painted in the 19th century, this exquisite miniature portrait wonderfully exemplifies realism in traditional oil painting. The small artwork is painted in the conventional portraiture style of the Old Masters, and achieves soft realism with fine brushwork and a subdued, neutral palette. The half length portrait depicts a fine Victorian woman dressed in all black with a delicate lace collar and bonnet. She wears a ruby broach...

Category

Mid-19th Century Old Masters Ray Smith Art

Materials

Oil

Roy LichtensteinNude With Blue Hair, 1994

$1,500,000

H 57.88 in Dm 37.63 in

Nude With Blue Hair

By Roy Lichtenstein

Located in Washington, DC

Artist: Roy Lichtenstein Title: Nude With Blue Hair Medium: Relief print on Rives BFK mold-made paper Date: 1994 Edition: 28/40 Sheet Size: 57 7/8" x 37 5/8" Image Size: 51 5/16" x 3...

Category

1990s Pop Art Ray Smith Art

Materials

Woodcut

Donald SultanSilver Flowers, March 3, 2011, 2011

$9,000

H 38 in W 38 in

Silver Flowers, March 3, 2011

By Donald Sultan

Located in New York, NY

Silver Flowers, March 3, 2011 Silkscreen with hand applied black Silica on Sauders Waterford paper, 410gm hot press 38 x 38 inches edition of 75 Print also available in Gold...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ray Smith Art

Materials

Screen

Tracey Emin"I Love You" Limited Edition towel/wall hanging (LARGE: 60 inches x 70 inches), 2011

$2,800

H 60 in W 70 in D 0.3 in

"I Love You" Limited Edition towel/wall hanging (LARGE: 60 inches x 70 inches)

By Tracey Emin

Located in New York, NY

Tracey Emin I Love You/I Love Your Soul/I Love Your Smile, ca. 2010 100% Cotton Beach Towel 60 × 70 inches (folded it's 25 x 30 inches) Signed in plate, authorized printed...

Category

2010s Contemporary Ray Smith Art

Materials

Cotton, Screen, Mixed Media, Laid Paper

John Baptiste de MedinaPortrait of a Gentleman, David Erskine, 13th Laird of Dun, Wearing Armour c.1700, circa 1700

$7,164

H 35.44 in W 30.71 in D 2.37 in

Portrait of a Gentleman, David Erskine, 13th Laird of Dun, Wearing Armour c.1700

Located in London, GB

The gentleman in this exquisite oil on canvas portrait, presented by Titan Fine Art, is shown with the grandiloquence characteristic of the English School of painting. He is portray...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Ray Smith Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Jonathan Richardson the ElderPortrait of Mary Hooper née Davie, Blue Dress, Seated in a Parkland, Provenance, circa 1715–1725

$22,051

H 60.24 in W 49.61 in D 3.94 in

Portrait of Mary Hooper née Davie, Blue Dress, Seated in a Parkland, Provenance

By Jonathan Richardson the Elder

Located in London, GB

Portrait of Mary Hooper (née Davie) in a Blue Dress & Seated in a Parkland c. 1715–1725 Jonathan Richardson the Elder (1667–1745) This portrait, presented by Titan Fine Art, is of p...

Category

18th Century Old Masters Ray Smith Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Henri MatisseHenri Matisse, Blue Nude XII, from Verve, Revue Artistique, 1958 (after), 1958

$1,436Sale Price|20% Off

H 13.25 in W 10.25 in

Henri Matisse, Blue Nude XII, from Verve, Revue Artistique, 1958 (after)

By Henri Matisse

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph after Henri Matisse (1869–1954), titled Nu Bleu XII (Blue Nude XII), from Verve, Revue Artistique et Litteraire, Vol. IX, No. 35–36, originates from the 195...

Category

1950s Modern Ray Smith Art

Materials

Lithograph

Previously Available Items

Ray SmithSerie: Abstractos con espejo 2, 2016

Sold

H 17.72 in W 15.75 in

Serie: Abstractos con espejo 2

By Ray Smith

Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos

Mixed technique

Category

2010s Contemporary Ray Smith Art

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Paint

Early Ray Smith Diptych

Sold

H 59 in W 39 in

Early Ray Smith Diptych

By Ray Smith

Located in Dallas, TX

Early Ray Smith oil painting diptych on canvas titled 'Bride to Wings'. Measurements are for each panel. A very modernist piece that is atypical of Smith's...

Category

1970s Mexican Modern Vintage Ray Smith Art

Materials

Canvas

Ray Smith art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Ray Smith art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Ray Smith in glass, mirror, ceramic and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large Ray Smith art, so small editions measuring 16 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Randi Grantham, Duane Paul, and L.G.. Ray Smith art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $300 and tops out at $20,000, while the average work can sell for $15,000.