Raymond Saunders

Raymond Saunders is primarily known for his abstract mixed-media paintings that include collage elements and found text with sociopolitical undertones. His paintings blend figuration with gestural and calligraphic abstraction inspired by improvisational jazz and the work of artists like Cy Twombly and Robert Rauschenberg. The use of found printed material establishes a dialogue between a broader social narrative (often directed at contemporary issues related to politics, race, and religion) and the expressive possibilities of abstraction. Saunders is an extensive traveler, and fragments of the cultural traditions he encounters work their way into his work, in particular folk art techniques. Saunders is similarly well known for his careful draughtsmanship, as well as sculpture, installation, and curatorial work.