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 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 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 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 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: 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 SmithBlue Mirror, 2018

$15,000

Blue Mirror

By Ray Smith

Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos

Painted mirror

Category

2010s Abstract Ray Smith Art

Materials

Mirror

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 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 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 SmithVase 1, 2018

$15,000

Vase 1

By Ray Smith

Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos

Vase Ceramics

Category

2010s Ray Smith Art

Materials

Ceramic

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

Harry BunceTea for two – Tod, 2017

$207

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

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

Bill OgdenOriginal Palm Springs Desert Oasis psychedelic vintage poster, 1969

$225

H 34 in W 20.5 in D 0.05 in

Original Palm Springs Desert Oasis psychedelic vintage poster

Located in Spokane, WA

Original poster: Palm Springs The Desert Oasis original poster by Bill Ogden. The poster is not linen-backed. Excellent condition. Mint. 1969. ...

Category

1960s American Modern Ray Smith Art

Materials

Offset

Tasmin LeveneCherry Blossom, ceramic, sculpture, original art, 2025

$3,451

H 7.88 in W 3.94 in D 3.94 in

Cherry Blossom, ceramic, sculpture, original art

Located in Deddington, GB

porcelain wall installation comprising of 130 hand sculpted flowers fixed directly into the wall. Additional information: Ceramic on Stone Edition of 1 20 H x 10 W x 10 D cm (7.87 x ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Ray Smith Art

Materials

Ceramic

Tracey EminIn My Head, 2015

$6,212

H 12.41 in W 10.04 in

In My Head

By Tracey Emin

Located in London, GB

2015 Polymer gravure in colours 31.5 x 25.5 cm Edition of 50 Signed, titled, dated and numbered by Emin Excellent condition as issued Framed Tracey Emin (born 1963) is best known f...

Category

2010s Contemporary Ray Smith Art

Materials

Polymer

Mel BochnerMel Bochner, Kick Against the Pricks (Blah Blah Blah) Silkscreen Signed/N Framed, 2018

$17,500

H 12.5 in W 30 in D 0.5 in

Mel Bochner, Kick Against the Pricks (Blah Blah Blah) Silkscreen Signed/N Framed

By Mel Bochner

Located in New York, NY

MEL BOCHNER Kick Against the Pricks (Blah..Blah...Blah...), 2018 Two color silkscreen on boutique silk fair paper with blue-colored back, 350 gsm paper Signed, dated, and numbered 29/30 on the front by Mel Bochner Frame included: elegantly framed in a museum quality white wood frame with UV plexiglass is included Measurements: Framed: 12.5 inches x 30 inches x .5 inch Artwork: 10.5 inches x 28 inches Published by Two Palms Press Bibliography Catalogue Raisonné of Editioned Prints Krakow Witkin...

Category

2010s Contemporary Ray Smith Art

Materials

Screen

Erica ImanMoon Bowl No. 2, 2024

$100

H 1 in W 3.5 in D 3.5 in

Moon Bowl No. 2

By Erica Iman

Located in Columbia, MO

Erica Iman received her BFA in Ceramics and BSE in Art from the University of Missouri Columbia in 2005 and obtained her MFA in Ceramics from Southern Illinois University Edwardsvill...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Ray Smith Art

Materials

Clay

Man RayMan Ray, Composition, Man Ray (after), 1984

$716Sale Price|20% Off

H 10.83 in W 8.27 in

Man Ray, Composition, Man Ray (after)

By Man Ray

Located in Southampton, NY

Lithograph on vélin paper. Inscription: unsigned and unnumbered, as issued. Good condition. Notes: From the folio, Man Ray, 1984. Published by Centre National des Arts Plastiques, Ni...

Category

1980s Surrealist Ray Smith Art

Materials

Lithograph

Glenn LigonBlack Rage, silkscreen print with COA Signed 53/100 by Glenn Ligon, Framed, 2019

$7,000

H 14 in W 11.5 in D 1.25 in

Black Rage, silkscreen print with COA Signed 53/100 by Glenn Ligon, Framed

By Glenn Ligon

Located in New York, NY

Renowned contemporary conceptual African American artist Glenn Ligon Black Rage (back cover), 2019 Silkscreen and digital print Edition number 53/100 Accompanied by an official Certi...

Category

2010s Contemporary Ray Smith Art

Materials

Digital, Screen

Roy LichtensteinRoy Lichtenstein Nude With Blue Hair, Signed, 1994, Relief Print, 1994

$1,500,000

H 57.88 in Dm 37.63 in

Roy Lichtenstein Nude With Blue Hair, Signed, 1994, Relief Print

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 Frame Size: 60 3/4" x 40 3/4" Sheet Size: 57 7/8" x 37...

Category

1990s Pop Art Ray Smith Art

Materials

Woodcut

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.