Infinite painting, boundless experience: How Leo Ray finds joy in an increasingly dark world

Leo Ray, an artist born in Vilnius, Lithuania, in 1950, merges the mundane with the elevated in his work, painting familiar subjects like dogs, cats, birds, and people with a touch of distortion and classical art references. Known for his vibrant use of color, Ray also works in black and white, employing characteristic brushstrokes and layering techniques with oil, acrylic, and gouache. His artistic journey led him to Israel in 1991, where he has since exhibited widely and taught art for over three decades.

Ray's concept of "infinite painting" involves creating a continuous flow where one canvas seamlessly extends the previous one, a process he engages in daily. While some observers categorize his art as naive and childlike, Ray himself disagrees, though he acknowledges that his work can evoke the inner child in viewers. His compositions often reference the Renaissance and classical art, presented in a modern, eclectic style.

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Life can be very difficult, and I think one of the great functions of art is to make people happy in this or other ways. I think that, for example, the art of Charlie Chaplin is no less important, great, and artistic than some, let’s say, tragedies. I think that laughter and joy are very valuable things.

In an interview, Ray expressed his belief that art's significant function is to bring happiness, comparing its importance to that of Charlie Chaplin's work. He stated, "Life can be very difficult, and I think one of the great functions of art is to make people happy in this or other ways." He finds that his paintings, like a "big yellow dog smiling from the canvas," elicit smiles and happiness from viewers, a goal he actively pursues. Ray's studio, located in a Tel Aviv industrial zone, is filled with his ongoing work, reflecting his constant dedication to his art.

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When I first saw your painting three years ago, I literally smiled! A big yellow dog was smiling from the canvas back at me. Recently, at the Freshpaint Art Fair, I saw a collection of your paintings and smiled again. They make me happy. Is it your goal to make people happy?