Rex Ray 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.
Ray's 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 Cooper.
During his lifetime Rex Ray generated a prolific body of painting and works on paper. His technique involved a complicated process that combined Xerography, handmade woodblock prints, newsprint, and magazine images into vibrant color schemes with parabolic forms and abstract patterns. His works reference mid-century modernism, Dada, decorative arts, Fluxus, and Pop art deployments associated with Andy Warhol and continue to speak to ideas of beauty during eras known for post-modernist and Conceptual ideologies.
Ray’s work has been included in exhibitions at the Akron Art Museum, Berkeley Art Museum, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and more. Several books including Cut & Paste, Rex Ray: Art + Design, and Information feature images with writings about his career and artistic practice.
Find Rex Ray art on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by Lucille Khornak Gallery)
$6,250
Rex Ray
By Rex Ray
Located in San Francisco, CA
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...
Resin, Wood, Paper
Mixed-Media and Resin Collage by Rex Ray
By Rex Ray
Located in San Francisco, CA
A mixed-media and resin collage by Rex Ray, untitled. Signed by the artist, USA, circa 2007.
Resin, Wood, Paper
Mixed-Media and Resin Collage by Rex Ray
By Rex Ray
Located in San Francisco, CA
A mixed-media and resin collage by Rex Ray, signed by the artist. USA, 2007.
Resin, Wood, Paper
Mixed-Media and Resin Collage by Rex Ray
By Rex Ray
Located in San Francisco, CA
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...
Resin, Wood, Paper
Mixed-Media and Resign Collage by Rex Ray
By Rex Ray
Located in San Francisco, CA
A mixed-media and resign collage by Rex Ray, untitled. Signed by the artist, USA, circa 2004.
Resin, Wood, Paper
$6,250
Rex Ray
By Rex Ray
Located in San Francisco, CA
A mixed media and resin collage by Rex Ray, signed by the artist. USA, 2006.
Resin, Wood, Paper
Mixed-Media and Resin Collage by Rex Ray
By Rex Ray
Located in San Francisco, CA
A mixed-media and resin collage by Rex Ray, signed by the artist. USA, 2004.
Resin, Wood, Paper
Mixed-Media and Resin Collage by Rex Ray
By Rex Ray
Located in San Francisco, CA
A mixed-media and resin collage by Rex Ray, untitled. Signed by the artist, USA, circa 2007.
Resin, Wood, Paper
Mixed-Media and Resign Collage by Rex Ray
By Rex Ray
Located in San Francisco, CA
A mixed-media and resign collage by Rex Ray, untitled. Signed by the artist, USA, circa 2005.
Resin, Wood, Paper
Mixed-Media and Resin Collage by Rex Ray
By Rex Ray
Located in San Francisco, CA
A mixed media and resin collage by Rex Ray, signed by the artist. USA, 2007.
Resin, Wood, Paper
Abstract Modern Painting by Alessandro Bonato, 1960s
Located in Chicago, IL
An acrylic painting on wood by Italian artist Alessandro Bonato, 1960s. This richly textured painting features hues of off-white, taupe, and soft aqua in an abstract geometric design...
Acrylic, Wood
$1,040
H 20 in W 16 in D 3.08 in
Rachel Denny Collage Painting Photographic Mixed Media Art Piece, 2003
Located in Round Top, TX
A fine example of Rachel Denny's earlier works, a mixed media piece incorporating photography, wood salvage and a resin seal. Piece is displayed on a burlap board (included). Ms. De...
Burlap, Resin, Wood
$10,208 / item
H 106.7 in W 11.42 in D 0.4 in
Unique Reverso Room Divider in Variable Colors by Draga & Aurel
By Draga & Aurel
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Reverso room divider by Draga & Aurel Price for each piece. Please contact us Unique piece Dimensions: W 29 H 271 Materials: Resin...
Brass
$1,870
H 27 in W 22.5 in D 3 in
David Cheng Hong Kong 1961 Portrait of Scholar with Opium Pipe Oil Painting
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
David Cheng Hong Kong, 1961: Portrait of Scholar with Opium Pipe Oil Painting A compelling mid-century portrait by Hong Kong artist David Cheng, signed and dated 1961 lower right, d...
Canvas, Wood
$1,950Sale Price|30% Off
H 66 in W 55 in D 2.5 in
Mixed Media Collage of Antique Photographs and Letters by Ben Freeman
Located in Peabody, MA
A mixed media work by noted artist and photographer Ben Freeman. This large scale work features a collage of antique gentleman’s photographs and authentic ...
Lead
Abstract Cityscape Chinese Modernist Painting by Heshi Yu, Signed
By Heshi Chou Yu
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Mid-Century Modern abstract village-scape painting by Heshi Yu. Painting features reflective gold and teal tones and is presented in original linen and wood frame. Signed in lower le...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Vintage Four-Panel Folding Screen With an Abstract Design, 1980s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Amazing four-panel room divider with a silver background and black, dripping paint-like designs. The design appears on each panel, creating a cohesive artistic element and has an art...
Steel
Art Deco Garden Screen 3 Panels By André Fu Living
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
designed as a nod to the beauty of japanese zen gardens, this artfully designed movable screen is visually pure in its composition, yet intricate at the same time. crafted in solid a...
Ash
Mixed-Media Collage Art by Tom Marchin
By Tom Marchin
Located in North Miami, FL
Beautifully executed, this large size work of art on canvas by Tom Marchin is made of paint and paper cut pieces. Rich in color and texture!
Canvas, Paper
Original CES Graffiti Legend Painted Canvas Paris Train 6x10’
By KAWS, Barry Mcgee, Andy Warhol
Located in Bensalem, PA
Original life size work by well renowned artist CES this was an actual piece he did on a Paris commuter train that he redid on a 10 foot canvas please check out the video and picture...
Canvas, Paint
$236Sale Price|20% Off
H 24.81 in W 32.68 in D 0.4 in
Sci-Fi Symmetria – Mixed Media Collage, Hungary 1970s
Located in Debrecen, HU
Sci-Fi Symmetria – Mixed Media Collage, 1970s Dimensions: 60 × 43 cm (unframed) 83 × 63 cm (framed) This striking mixed media collage from the 1970s embodies the experimental and p...
Paper
$35,445
H 68.9 in W 59.06 in D 1.58 in
Paravent en laque - Two-fold lacquer screen with an abstract design by Imai Eiko
Located in Brussels, BE
A two-fold lacquer screen carved with an abstract, geometric design in black, red, yellow, blue and gold by Imai Eiko (act. late 20th-early 21st century). Japan, 20th century. Sign...
Gold