Photo by Elfie Semotan
Raymond Pettibon, born Raymond Ginn on June 16, 1957, in Tucson, Arizona, is an American artist renowned for his drawings and graphic works that explore themes of popular culture, politics, history, and literature. Pettibon grew up in Hermosa Beach, California, and studied economics at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) before turning to art in the 1970s. Pettibon first gained recognition in the Los Angeles punk rock scene by creating illustrations and flyers for bands, including Black Flag, founded by his brother Greg Ginn. His distinctive line drawings, often accompanied by incisive and provocative texts, quickly earned him recognition beyond the music scene. His work is characterized by a clean black-and-white style, literary references, and biting social critiques. Pettibon's works have been exhibited in numerous prestigious institutions worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the Tate Modern in London. In 2017, the New Museum in New York dedicated a major retrospective to him, acknowledging his enduring influence on contemporary art. Raymond Pettibon lives and works in New York. His work continues to captivate and challenge audiences with its ability to blend the trivial and the profound, offering a unique commentary on contemporary society.