I'm apparently pretty late to the game on this one, but I just discovered the work of Rex Ray, a San Francisco artist who works in collage and canvas.
He's been remarkably successful with his colorful collages and multimedia works. His work is available in the original and as prints at Turner Carroll Gallery and Gallery 16 online as well as in reproduction through major print sites like Allposters.com and Art.com (although neither of those two carry my favorites available through Turner Carroll or Gallery 16.)
Here is his bio from the Turner Carroll Gallery website:
"Rex Ray is a San Francisco based fine artist, whose collages, paintings and design work have been exhibited at galleries and museums, including the The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, University Art Museum in Berkeley, San Jose Museum of Modern Art, The Crocker Museum in Sacramento, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, Michael Martin Galleries, Gallery 16, New Langton Arts, and Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions.
"He is also a celebrated graphic designer. He has created work for Apple, Dreamworks, Sony Music, Warner Brothers, City Lights Publishers, Matador Records, Serpent's Tail, The New Museum of Contemporary Art, Rizzoli, Powerhouse, Mute Records and Crown Books. His package designs for David Bowie, as well as for Joe Satriani, Diamanda Galás, Matmos, and Deee-Lite, have earned him an international reputation for his innovation in type and with original photographs, drawings, and collage. He has designed over 100 historic Bill Graham Presents rock and roll tour posters, including ones for The Rolling Stones, Patti Smith, REM, Bjork, U2, and Radiohead."
I actually came across his name while perusing Z Gallerie (as I shrink down into my chair) to see if they had any new furnishings worth commenting on. I saw one of his works on their site and decided to google and see what happened. I'm so glad I did! It just goes to show the mass exposure a serious artist can get by licensing a limited amount of his or her work to a major retail outlet, even if the overall aesthetic of that retailer isn't what the artist might adhere to normally.
Because they're colorful yet sophisticated and are so abstract, these can work in many different rooms and would appeal equally to all ages. I'm even thinking about something for the nursery. His work is so full of life and color - how did I not know about him already?
Parmotrema, 36" square, print on art block, at Z Gallerie
Comments