Joe Ray

Artist
Joe Ray is a public artist and storyteller whose work explores a contemporary view of cultural iconography, memory, and narrative through bold, visually immersive imagery. Rooted in storytelling and shaped by themes of identity, place, and human connection, his art is infused with vitality and passion. His work has been exhibited and published across the United States and Mexico. Born in San Luis, Sonora, Mexico, and raised on the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Reservation in Poston, Arizona, Joe brings a deeply rooted bi-cultural perspective to his art and public engagement. Joe has extensive experience collaborating with artists, arts organizations, and communities. He is a long-time member of Xico: Arte y Cultura in Phoenix and is represented by Royse Contemporary in Scottsdale.

Contact: joe@joeray.com

Joe Ray's Presentations

Arizona/Southwest History

Art/Art History

Artist Talk

Celestial Messengers: Time Travelers Across Arizona’s Living Landscapes

How do we explore the desert as a living archive where past, present, and future converge? Artist Joe Ray’s work is rooted in perspectives shaped by Arizona and the US/Mexico border. His art is a blend of symbolism and storytelling combined with bold, colorful visuals. He brings to life his ancestral figures, cosmic storytellers rooted in Mesoamerican knowledge, who venture into our modern world to see what their descendants are up to, and whether we’re keeping our end of an eternal bargain. Join us for an artist talk that reveals Arizona as a historic crossroads where, for thousands of years, cultures have exchanged goods, stories, and spiritual practices.