Tony Ray-Jones
photographer
Tony Ray-Jones (1941–1972) was a British photographer known for his unique blend of humor and poignancy in capturing the English way of life. Born in Wells, Somerset, he studied graphic design at the London School of Printing before obtaining a scholarship to Yale University School of Art. In New York, he worked under art director Alexey Brodovitch in Richard Avedon's studio and befriended street photographers like Joel Meyerowitz. Upon returning to Britain, Ray-Jones focused on documenting English leisure activities and social habits, aiming to record the 'spirit and mentality' of the people before it became Americanized. His work is characterized by a surreal humor and complex compositions influenced by Henri Cartier-Bresson and Garry Winogrand. He died of leukemia at age 30 in 1972. His posthumously published book, 'A Day Off: An English Journal' (1974), remains a significant anthropological collection of British society.[1,2,3]
- English way of life
- leisure activities
- social anthropology
- surreal humor
Books
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A Day Off: 120 Photographs€134.00 -
Tony Ray-Jones€72.00
Works by Tony Ray-Jones
- 1974 A Day Off: An English Journal Posthumous publication.
- 1977 A Day Off: 120 Photographs The book referenced in the prompt.
- 2013 American Colour 1962–1965 Selected colour photographs.
Works about Tony Ray-Jones
- 1990 Tony Ray-Jones Exhibition catalogue.
- 2004 Tony Ray-Jones Includes transcript of interview.
Exhibitions
- 1968 Current Report 2
- 1969 Vision and Expression
- 1969 The English Seen
- 2004 A Gentle Madness: The Photographs of Tony Ray-Jones (1941–72)
- 2013 Only in England: Photographs by Tony Ray-Jones and Martin Parr