11 September-5 October 2013
“Notations and Specimens”: Drawings and collages by Robert Ray
As a young artist, Robert Ray’s development was influenced by the graphic innovations of early twentieth century modernism, primarily the drawings of Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Paul Klee and Henri Matisse. Later, he discovered the collage of post-modern abstract expressionism as well as arte povera and neo-expressionism. For the past decade, Ray’s goal has been to merge linear depictions of the human with mixed-media collage compositions inspired by urban street graphics.
It was once stated that Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008) wanted to put the world on canvas; Robert Ray (1959- ) wants his work to rest in the palm of your hand. His shift to small format work began in Sicily (1984), during a two-year assignment with the United States Air Force. Since Ray’s living quarters were limited in size and didn’t allow for large-scale projects, he adapted to the situation by acquiring a pocket-sized sketchpad, a few drawing implements and a matchbox-sized watercolor kit. His first collage was realized on an Italian postage stamp.
Inspired by the art installations of Richard Tuttle and Robert Rauschenberg’s scrap metal constructions (Gluts), Ray’s new collages have been created independent of a paper surface, allowing for the pieces to be displayed directly on a wall. “Notations and Specimens” (drawings and collages) features fifty-four works, none larger than two by two inches.
(from the gallery’s press materials)
INFORMATION
21Ten Microgallery
2110 K Street
Sacramento, California 95816 USA
(916) 476-5500
Hours:
Wednesday-Saturday, 11AM-5PM
Second Saturday of each month, 11AM-9PM
Image:
untitled
by Robert Ray
Image courtesy of the artist