Rex Ray

Rex Ray (American 1956-2015) "Untitled", Abstract Mixed Media on Wood, Signed Verso, 16 x 24, Early 21st Century, 2010 - Colors: Green, Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink, Black, Brown Rex Ray (Sept. 11, 1956—Feb. 9, 2015) was an American artist best known for his innovative pop aesthetic in fine and commercial art—on canvases, wood panels, album covers, paper, book jackets, murals, and rock and roll posters. Born in Landstuhl, Germany in 1956, Michael Patterson was raised in Colorado Springs. Before moving to San Francisco in 1981, Patterson, inspired by Andy Warhol, adopted the moniker Rex Ray. He attended the San Francisco Art Institute where he studied with Sam Tchakalian, Kathy Acker, and Angela Davis, and received his BFA in 1989. He became a major force in the Bay Area’s art, literary, and activist communities. Ray was one of the first artists to use Mac-based technologies in the creative process to generate art and graphics. His early designs include: the first graphics for the San Francisco chapter of Act Up; many guerilla marketing flyers and posters for queer nightclubs; and numerous book covers for City Lights Books and HIGH RISK/Serpent’s Tail. His impressive client roster in the music, fashion, entertainment, and design industries, includes David Bowie, The Residents, Bill Graham Presents, DreamWorks, Levis, Neiman Marcus, Sony Music, Warner Brothers, and Apple. Rex Ray designs have been licensed and produced as distinctive imagery on scarves, carpets, ceramics, wristwatches, surfboards, and even on a Mini...

This beautiful poster was created in 1996 to promote a live concert of Oasis at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. This tour marked the second attempt of the legendar...

A lovely example of Rex Ray’s graphic collage style. Rex Ray (1956-2015) was an American graphic designer and artist based in San Francisco. His work is in mus...

A mixed media and resin collage by Rex Ray, signed by the artist. USA, 2007.

A lovely example of Rex Ray’s graphic collage style. Rex Ray (1956-2015) was an American graphic designer and artist based in San Francisco. His work is in mus...

A mixed-media and resin collage by Rex Ray, untitled. Signed by the artist, USA, circa 2007.

A mixed-media and resin collage by Rex Ray, untitled. Signed by the artist, USA, circa 2007.  

A mixed-media and resin collage by Rex Ray, signed by the artist. USA, 2007.

A mixed-media and resign collage by Rex Ray, untitled. Signed by the artist, USA, circa 2004.

A mixed media and resin collage by Rex Ray, signed by the artist. USA, 2006.

A mixed-media and resin collage by Rex Ray, signed by the artist. USA, 2004.

A mixed-media and resign collage by Rex Ray, untitled. Signed by the artist, USA, circa 2005.

This beautiful vibrant poster is from the Beastie Boys concert at the Portland Rose Garden in 1998 with support from the likes of the great A Tribe Called Quest. The show saw the New...

This brilliant poster is from David Bowie's 1997 concert at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, California. The show was in support of his album from the same year "Earthling" whi...

Color lithograph, Edition 30 In 2010, Ray made his first lithographs at Shark’s Ink., Pyzinerol and Pyzinerol II. Ambitious prints with 18 colors from 15...