From furniture and fishing lures, to bridges and scaffolding, wood’s long tradition as a building material has informed and inspired my artistic exploration of both functional and non-functional work.

Reclaiming and repurposing lumber is a significant part of my artistic practice as I think it is a responsibility to question where my material comes from and where it is going. In a society so focused on progress, often we forget to look behind us. Using reclaimed material adds layers of meaning to the finished piece as well, each piece having its own history and cultural connotations.

Ray lives, makes and teaches in Indianapolis.