What makes an object worth looking at? For artist Daniel Ray, the answer can be found in almost any discarded corner of the world. A crumpled piece of metal, a tiny plastic figurine, a malfunctioning television screen, or paint accidentally smeared across a construction site window are all potential masterpieces in his eyes. In his upcoming exhibition, Found/Framed, Ray invites visitors to slow down and observe the ordinary world with entirely fresh eyes.
Ray’s unique approach to finding art in unexpected places began during his childhood in San Diego. Armed with a camera, he frequently wandered through a local junkyard, captivated by the dramatic patterns of sunlight and shadow falling across twisted scrap metal. Where most passersby saw junk, Ray saw intricate compositions and potential sculptures. This lifelong habit of noticing what others overlook has defined his diverse and wandering artistic career.
After studying painting and sculpture at the San Francisco Art Institute and advertising photography at the ArtCenter College of Design, Ray built a highly successful career as a commercial photographer. He operated major studios, traveled the world, photographed celebrities, and crafted concepts for international advertising campaigns, magazines, movie studios, and record labels.
Yet, photography alone could not contain his creative energy. Ray began cutting, layering, painting over, and physically altering his images, causing photography to collide with collage, silkscreen, sculpture, music, and video. In Found/Framed, these decades of multimedia experimentation finally come together. The exhibition’s title reflects both his use of found objects and his spontaneous method of moving through the world, capturing accidental moments and asking us to look again.
Though his work shares a playful, irreverent spirit with Pop and Funk Art, Ray’s path has been entirely his own. When asked how he knows a piece is complete, he jokingly answers that a little bird comes out of the sky to tell him. Beneath this lightheartedness lies a serious invitation for the community. Visitors are encouraged to explore this free exhibition at the Sears Art Museum on the Utah Tech University campus from September 4 through October 30, 2026. The opening reception is scheduled for Friday, September 4, from 6:30 PM to 8 PM, offering a wonderful opportunity to meet the artist and discover the extraordinary hidden within the ordinary.
