A modernist at heart, Ray strives for simplification by reducing a composition to its essential characteristics. The planning of colour masses is a vital key in the work, with each painting reworked many times. The negative spaces are as significant as the objects, allowing the play between the flat surface and the illusion of depth and solidity.
Ray Sheldon was born in Staffordshire. As a small boy he walked to school past the Minton factory and exclaimed each day that he would work there when he grew up. He left school at the age of 15 to work in the ceramic industry and went on to become art director for Minton as well as designing for Wedgwood, Ralph Lauren, Liberty's of London, Schumacher New York and Hankyu Tokyo.
He now paints full time, and his work incorporates pottery and ceramics in an abstract form. Ray's work is held in public collections at Borough Museum and Art Gallery, Staffordshire and The Godfrey Pilkington Art Gallery, St Helens.
Ray is the former President of the Society of Staffordshire Artists, and his work is held in public collections at Borough Museum and Art Gallery, Staffordshire and The Godfrey Pilkington Art Gallery, St Helens. Commissions include Staffordshire Life, Tim Toft Violins, Lichfield Cathedral School, Mr Ian J Dudson, CBE, HM Lord- Lieutenant of Staffordshire, The Thames Pageant.
Selected Exhibitions
Bircham Gallery, Holt, Norfolk
Goat Street Gallery, Pembrokeshire
New Ashgate Gallery, Surrey
Artichoke Gallery, Ticehurst, East Sussex
The Brook Street Gallery, Hay-on-Wye
Robert Fogell Gallery, Stamford