Collages and Bunnies

{image courtesy of lookbookish.com}

Artist Ray Johnson, referred to as "New York's most famous unknown artist" and a crucial artist in the Pop Art movement of the 1960's that centered the likes of Andy Warhol. Unknown to the mainstream, but fascinating to his peers of that era, Ray was a unique visionary that refused to be commercialized, used or pinned down by expectations. Frequently changing his mediums, methods and styles, from painting, collage and performance art Ray always kept people guessing and amazing them with enigmatic new directions.

A fascinating documentary of his life and work, "How to Draw a Bunny", released in 2002, investigates his life from his art school days and beginnings in the New York scene through his many projects and performance up to his mysterious death, it is an intense study of an artist who saw his entire life as a continuous work of art. I recommend his work and this film to anyone as an example of someone who was not afraid to push new ground and experiment. Although Ray was not a famous and wealthy figure like Warhol, It is a lesson I find valuable even for people who may experience success, to keep from becoming complacent and resting on the laurels of fame.