Mr. Ray

In the mid 1970s Ruscha began exploring ways to use names or phrases in paintings, drawings and prints, set against a variety of unconventional and textured backdrops such as this one. This work was originally commissioned as part of a portfolio of images by contemporary artists in honour of the American modernist May Ray, who Ruscha has long acknowledged as a strong influence, although the final portfolio was never realised. Originally created as a pastel drawing, this image was then transferred onto an offset lithographic plate.