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
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 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 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
$780Sale Price|25% Off
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
$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
$10,000 / item
H 70.87 in W 38.19 in D 16.93 in
Conogó Partition Screen in Hardwood, Brazilian Contemporary Design
By Noemi Saga Atelier
Located in Sao Paulo, BR
This contemporary styled partition screen or room divider is made of sucupira hardwood. Named the Conogó, this partition screen is art–furniture. The...
Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Framed Abstract Courrèges Scarf from Paris France
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Courrèges silk scarf in excellent condition found in Paris, France. Features bold contrasting colors in this beautiful abstract silk vinta...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood, Silk
Small Oil Painting, White Wood Frame, The City, Ray Bai, 1995
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Small oil painting, the city on it. Signed Ray Bai 1995. Hand painted in Denmark. In the set of white wood frame. Very nice small decoration for ...
Wood, 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
Framed Courrèges Owl Scarf from Paris France
Located in New York, NY
Courrèges cotton scarf in excellent condition found in Paris, France. Features bold pop-art style owl sitting on the Courrèges Paris logo. Set in a modern espresso teak box frame. ...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood, Cotton
M P Marion Mid Century Landscape Mixed Media Collage
Located in Franklin Park, IL
M P Marion mid century landscape mixed media collage This collage measures: 22.25 wide x .75 deep x 28.25 inches high This Collage is in Good Vintage Co...
Wood, Paper
$1,771 / item
H 39.38 in W 59.06 in D 1.58 in
Milano Forest Matte Handmade Decorative Tile Indoor Panel
By Theia Tiles
Located in Lisbon, PT
This handmade decorative tile panel combines the traditional Portuguese faience tile making techniques with a modern approach of shapes and color, resulting in a very visually impact...
Faience, Wood
$625
H 23.75 in W 29.75 in D 1.5 in
Vintage Mixed Media Abstract Sailboat Collage On Board, Newly Framed
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Mixed Media Abstract Sailboat Collage Victor Vi Cassenelli, Listed Artist Offered for sale is a vintage abstract collage of assembled heavy laid papers by Victor Vi Cassenel...
Wood, Paper
$175Sale Price|30% Off
H 13 in W 10 in D 0.07 in
Contemporary Mixed Media Collage on Paper, Initialed, Unframed, 21st Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Contemporary Canadian mixed media collage painting on paper - untitled - initialed and dated on the back board - acid free matte - Canada - 2013. Excellent condition - no loss - no damage - no restoration - minor scuffs to the matte board - unframed. Size of Painting...
Paint, Paper
$59
H 12.25 in W 9.25 in D 1.5 in
Shared Space: the Joseph M. Cohen Collection, by Ray Merritt, 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
Shared Space: The Joseph M. Cohen Collection, by Ray Merritt. 1st Ed hardcover with dust jacket. The reasons why people collect art are no doubt as simple...
Paper