Ray Johnson

About

Conceptual artist associated with Neo-Dadaism, Pop Art, and the Fluxus movement and known for his experimental art. Founded the New York Correspondence School, a mail-art network.

Before Fame

He attended radically progressive Black Mountain College, where he was mentored by Josef Albers. He relocated to New York City in 1949 with Richard Lippold, his lover at Black Mountain.

Trivia

He began work on 200 silhouettes in the mid-1970s, using Andy Warhol, William S. Burroughs, and David Bowie among his subjects. He eventually retreated to his home in Locust Valley, rarely ever stepping back into public view but continuing to be prolific.

Family Life

He was born in a working-class neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan. He committed suicide at the age of 67. After his death, filmmakers Andre Moore and John Walter created the documentary, "How to Draw a Bunny," about his life.

Associated With

He featured Roy Lichtenstein in a collage piece.