Artist Ray Mc Cray
Ray Anthony Mc Cray makes art like Miles Davis blows his horn. Through the exploration a verity of media, Ray develops textures and cultural nuance through abstract and representational collages. A major theme of his work is to discover / uncover the experience and significant contribution African Americans have made to the greater culture.
Three major works in this series. “Jazz Phenomenon”, a six by four foot collage which hung at the Jazz Bakery, Los Angeles for more than seven years. The recently completed “Love that Thing called Jazz”, a seven by four foot collage that features drum sticks and piano keys signed by jazz artists.
"The Piano" is a work in progress. The piece is built around a storied baby grand piano given to Ray by Joy Magruter. Joy’s late husband John Magruter acquired the instrument in 1957 and composed many arrangements for big bands and smaller ensembles until his death in 2003. Joy is keeping the memory of John alive by inviting musician friends of her's and John's to her home twice a month to rehearse John's Thelonious Monk inspired arrangements written for nine instruments. The group is called the "Magruder Monktet".
It has been suggested that the 1930’s era piano came from Central Avenue, possibly from the old Elks Club.
The work has been produced thought the collaborative efforts of Gregory Dahl, Sam Pace, Mario Guiarez, Junior Guiarez and dozens of jazz musicians who have signed the keys.
Ray has been recognized by The National Arts Program for the encouragement and development of Artistic expression with Community Arts Division Cultural Affairs Department and the Leonard E. B. Andrews Foundation as winner Honorable Mention in the intermediate classification, January 2000 and awarded a scholarship to the Lankershim Arts Center. He has shown at the Jazz Bakery and in the galleries of Meredith Baer.
In addition to his jazz collages, Ray is working on a series of four by four foot paper and acrylic abstract paintings on macinite boards.
Check out his blog.
http://artistraymccray.wordpress.com/
Thanks to every one who's coming by to see the art.
