Carl Ray

(1943-1978)

Carl Ray (1943-1978) was an Aboriginal Canadian artist, best known for his work executed in the style of the Woodlands School (often referred to as "legend painting" style), but he also painted European style wildlife and landscapes.

He apprenticed under Carl Ray (who had already achieved national and international acclaim) and worked on the mural for the Indians of Canada Pavilion of Expo ’67 in Montreal. Norval had designed and sketched the mural but it was Carl who did most of the work and was left to finish it.

In the early 1970s Ray had the first solo exhibition of his black and sepia, Woodlands style paintings on paper and canvas at Aggregation Gallery in Toronto. By 1975, the Indian Group of Seven had formed and Ray was enjoying acclaim and purchases by notable collectors, as well as public institutions such as the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.

Lacking sophisticated technique, but resplendent with powerful imagery, his super-realistic images were unique, and his signature style is easily recognized. Describing his work, Carl stated "What you are looking at is ancient and sacred. In fact what you see could be described as a part of my soul". Many of his works were limited to two or three colours, brown, black and blue, often mixing ink and watercolours.

Carl Ray paintings are part of museums as well as private and corporate collections all over the world.

(1943-1978)

Title: The Thunderbird Man (1968)

Medium: Oil on canvas board

Condition: Very good.

Dimensions: Unframed: 24.0" x 30.0" (60.96cm x 76.2cm). Framed: 26.5" x 33.5" (67.3 cm x 85.1cm).

Signature: Signed and dated lower right. Gallery label and a typed passage describing the legend of the Thunderbird Man on the back (also signed by the artist).

Painting is framed with black modern frame.

Availability:    SOLD