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 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
Contemporary Verso Signed Abstract Oil on Canvas
Located in Sheffield, MA
Oil painting is composed of vibrant orange tones mingled with neutral brown and grey tones. Verso is titled and signed illegibly. Canvas measures approximate 20 inches squared in height and width. Signed original artwork, abstract Modernist art...
Canvas
$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
$2,052 / item
H 40 in W 30 in D 0.03 in
"Brouillard 1" Signed Limited Edition Art Print by Christiane Lemieux - 30"x40"
Located in New York, NY
Introducing "Brouillard 1" - Our newest limited-release art print series abstract fine art print that mesmerizes with its ethereal beauty. Layers of misty...
Paper
$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
On the Pulse No. 14 by Jennifer Gibbs
By Jennifer Gibbs
Located in New Orleans, LA
Jennifer Gibbs draws artistic inspiration primarily from meditation and nature. Her extensive body of work ranges from abstract expressionism to delicate botanicals to her charcoal l...
Fabric, Textile, Canvas, Acrylic, Paint
Mixed Media Work by Scott Kerr
Located in Dallas, TX
This original mixed media artwork by local Texas artist, Scott Kerr, combines modern design, layered texture, and neutral colors to create a statement piece for any interior. Featuring tones of white, beige, gray, and taupe, the composition highlights movement and depth, making it versatile for both contemporary and transitional spaces. Handcrafted in Texas, this neutral wall art...
Canvas, Paint
$2,709
H 43.31 in W 59.06 in D 1.58 in
Artwork Wall Panel, Scagliola Decoration Handmade in Italy by Cupioli available
By Cupioli made in Italy
Located in Rimini, IT
Artwork wall Panel scagliola decoration Handmade in Italy by Cupioli available. Prometheus a Greek mythological figure is represented in this panel. To this hero, a friend of manki...
Scagliola, Wood
Abstract Oil Painting, "Nobody Could Sleep" by Jim Condron
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Nobody Could Sleep - Abstract painting by American artist Jim Condron The painting is one of a series based on the Maryland landscape where Condron reside...
Canvas
Re-Framed Andy Warhol Soup Can Lithograph on Linen in Round Oiled Wood Frame
By (after) Andy Warhol
Located in Round Top, TX
Oiled Wood Frame
Linen, Glass, Wood, Paper
$235Sale 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
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
Mixed Media Collage by Chet Lamore, circa 1978
Located in Long Island City, NY
Untitled mixed media collage by Chet Lamore, circa 1978. Signed Lamore on the lower center.
Marble, Metal