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.

Artist: Ray Smith

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 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: 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 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 SmithVase 1, 2018

$15,000

Vase 1

By Ray Smith

Located in Cuernavaca, Morelos

Vase Ceramics

Category

2010s Ray Smith Art

Materials

Ceramic

Trevor SoutheyRising I, Male nude lithograph by Trevor Southey, 1985

$900

H 22.5 in W 16 in

Rising I, Male nude lithograph by Trevor Southey

By Trevor Southey

Located in Palm Springs, CA

Male nude lithograph by Trevor Southey. Charcoal gray. There was also an edition done in terra cotta. Trevor Southey was born in Rhodesia, Africa (now Zimbabwe) in 1940. His African...

Category

1980s Contemporary Ray Smith Art

Materials

Lithograph

Adrienne FiermanWhite Standing Pod Ceramic Vessel Sculpture, 2025

$850

H 5 in W 5.5 in D 5.5 in

White Standing Pod Ceramic Vessel Sculpture

By Adrienne Fierman

Located in East Quogue, NY

"White Standing Pod", Ceramic Sculpture Dimensions: 5 H × 5.5 W × 5.5 D Medium: Hand-built ceramic, glazed stoneware Adrienne Fierman’s "White Standing Pod" embodies the meditative ...

Category

2010s Abstract Ray Smith Art

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Jessamyn GoAura - Chrome metallic glazed ceramic sculpture, 2025

$850

H 8 in W 7 in D 3.5 in

Aura - Chrome metallic glazed ceramic sculpture

Located in East Quogue, NY

Hand-pitched chrome metallic glazed ceramic sculpture vessel by Jessamyn Go. White Stoneware, Bronze Metallic Glaze, 8" x 7 x 3.5 inches Jessamyn Go's work is deeply rooted in the ...

Category

2010s Abstract Ray Smith Art

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware, Glaze

Shepard FaireyCultivate Justice (Red) (Activist, Social Justice, Screenprint), 2021

$444Sale Price|40% Off

H 24 in W 18 in

Cultivate Justice (Red) (Activist, Social Justice, Screenprint)

By Shepard Fairey

Located in Kansas City, MO

Shepard Fairey Cultivate Justice (Red) Screen print on thick cream Speckletone paper Year: 2021 Size: 24 x 18 inches (60.96 x 45.72 cm) Edition: 400 Signed by Shepard Fairey, dated a...

Category

2010s Contemporary Ray Smith Art

Materials

Screen

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

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

Deborah RumerFigurative Abstract Angel Screen Print with Poem, "Like a Breeze Passing", 1997

$375

H 12 in W 9 in D 0.03 in

Figurative Abstract Angel Screen Print with Poem, "Like a Breeze Passing"

By Deborah Rumer

Located in Soquel, CA

Ethereal figurative abstract print of two figures merging by Deborah Rumer (American, 20th Century). Titled "Like a breeze passing...", numbered (Ed100), signed, and dated (© Deborah...

Category

1990s Contemporary Ray Smith Art

Materials

Paper, Ink, Screen

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

Henri MatisseHenri Matisse, Acrobates, from Verve, Revue Artistique, 1958 (after), 1958

$956Sale Price|20% Off

H 13.25 in W 10.25 in

Henri Matisse, Acrobates, from Verve, Revue Artistique, 1958 (after)

By Henri Matisse

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph after Henri Matisse (1869–1954), titled Acrobates (Acrobats), from Verve, Revue Artistique et Litteraire, Vol. IX, No. 35–36, originates from the 1958 issue...

Category

1950s Modern Ray Smith Art

Materials

Lithograph

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

$1,795

H 13.25 in W 10.25 in

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

By Henri Matisse

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph after Henri Matisse (1869–1954), titled Nu Bleu XI (Blue Nude XI), from Verve, Revue Artistique et Litteraire, Vol. IX, No. 35–36, originates from the 1958 ...

Category

1950s Modern Ray Smith Art

Materials

Lithograph

Henri MatisseHenri Matisse, The Parakeet and the Mermaid, Verve, Revue, 1958 (after), 1958

$2,195

H 13.25 in W 30.9 in

Henri Matisse, The Parakeet and the Mermaid, Verve, Revue, 1958 (after)

By Henri Matisse

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph after Henri Matisse (1869–1954), titled La Perruche et la Sirene (The Parakeet and the Mermaid), from Verve, Revue Artistique et Litteraire, Vol. IX, No. 35...

Category

1950s Modern Ray Smith Art

Materials

Lithograph

Henri MatisseHenri Matisse, Nu Bleu IX, from Verve, Revue Artistique, 1958 (after), 1958

$1,795

H 13.25 in W 10.25 in

Henri Matisse, Nu Bleu IX, from Verve, Revue Artistique, 1958 (after)

By Henri Matisse

Located in Southampton, NY

This exquisite lithograph after Henri Matisse (1869–1954), titled Nu Bleu IX (Blue Nude IX), from Verve, Revue Artistique et Litteraire, Vol. IX, No. 35–36, originates from the 1958 ...

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

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.