Robert Jean Ray

BIOGRAPHY

As a young artist, Robert-Jean Ray’s development was influenced by the graphic innovations of early twentieth century modernism; primarily the drawings of Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Paul Klee and Henry Matisse.  Later, he discovered the collage of post-modern abstract expressionism as well as the work of [Italian] arte povera and neo-expressionism.  For the last decade, Ray’s goal has been to merge depictions of the human with mixed-media collage compositions inspired by urban street graphics. His small format drawings, collages and mixed media pieces have been exhibited in galleries throughout the United States (New York to Hawaii).  He has contributed illustrations to numerous publications, collaborated with many artists, writers and performers, and organized exhibitions for various art galleries and public institutions.  Recently, Ray curated the exhibition Abstract: 2000-2010 at the Sacramento Temporary Contemporary Gallery (2011), Human Voice: the Human Presence in Art and Collage, Etc. at Gallery21TEN (2012/2013), and Layers at the Transmission Gallery, Oakland (2013).  His work has been exhibited at b. sakata garo (2009/2012), and was recently included in the exhibition Poetics of Disposability at the Triton Museum of Art, Santa Clara (2012).