Ray Johnson c/o

A New York Times best art book of 2021, "Ray Johnson: A Retrospective" is a comprehensive collection of Ray Johnson's artwork, including collages, drawings, mail art, and performance documentation. The book features 700 illustrations, many of which are never before published, and twenty-one short essays by various contributors. The book is distributed for the Art Institute of Chicago and will be on exhibition from November 26, 2021, to March 21, 2022.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 376 pages
Publication date: 09 April 2021
Publisher: Yale University Press

Ray Johnson (1927–1995) was a renowned artist known for his intricate collages that had a significant impact on various art movements, including Pop Art, Fluxus, and Conceptual Art. Hailing from the interdisciplinary community of artists and poets at Black Mountain College, Johnson was exceptionally skilled in utilizing social interaction as a creative medium, founding the renowned New York Correspondence School.

This comprehensive volume, curated from the extensive collection of Johnson's work at the Art Institute of Chicago, presents a fresh perspective on his artistic practice. It features an array of pieces, including artist books, collages, drawings, mail art, and performance documentation, showcasing the breadth and depth of his artistic output.

In keeping with Johnson's democratic, rhizomatic, and anti-hierarchical ethos, this essential resource on his oeuvre offers 700 illustrations, many of which are previously unpublished, along with twenty-one short essays by various contributors. This allows readers to engage with the book in a nonlinear manner, exploring different aspects of Johnson's work at their own pace.

The exhibition of this remarkable collection will be held at the Art Institute of Chicago from November 26, 2021, to March 21, 2022.

Weight: 1332g
Dimension: 231 x 311 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300254334