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)
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
$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, 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 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, 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
1998 Beastie Boys - Portland Rose Garden Original Vintage Poster
By Rex Ray
Located in Winchester, GB
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...
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 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
1996 Oasis - San Francisco Original Vintage Poster
By Rex Ray
Located in Winchester, GB
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...
Paper
1997 David Bowie - San Francisco Original Vintage Poster
By Rex Ray
Located in Winchester, GB
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...
Paper
$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
ICHIMATSU by Blue Tip atelier
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Title : ICHIMATSU Japan / 2020s Size : W 1480 x H 1480 mm Each part is dyed with indigo to express a checkered pattern that collapses. This quilt is made with Woven fresh linen. Hand-quilted with cotton thread. Hand dyed with indigo. [Blue Tip atelier...
Linen
$10,244 / 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
$1,950Sale 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 Informal Work Signed G. Aprosi 1980s
Located in Manzano, IT
Fascinating original painting on canvas by master Giorgio Aprosi. The painting is an excellent example of informal art, characterized by strong gestural dynamism and vibrant color ...
Canvas, Wood
$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
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
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
$6,096 / item
H 76.38 in W 55.12 in D 78.75 in
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna Feng Two Folding Screen by Testatonda
By Testatonda, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This screen is born as a collaboration with the Testatonda studio, a group of three young designers that the company has decided to focus on. Their aim is to design furniture and obj...
Metal
$237Sale 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
$8,345 / item
H 76.38 in W 91.34 in D 78.75 in
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna Feng Three Folding Screen by Testatonda
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Testatonda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This screen is born as a collaboration with the Testatonda studio, a group of three young designers that the company has decided to focus on. Their aim is to design furniture and obj...
Metal
David Bowie and Nine Inch Nails Original US Concert Poster Proof, 1995
By Rex Ray
Located in Devon, GB
A rare uncut printer's proof poster by graphic designer and collage artist Rex Ray for a performance by David Bowie and Nine Inch Nails at the Shorelin...
Paper