Chay Ruby's Art

Chay grew up in the Midwest and lived abroad in the United Kingdom for a few years (he’s since relocated to the Seattle area). As a gay man growing up in some unfriendly places, he was always trying to practice invisibility. With his artwork, he tends to use loud and vibrant colours in contrast to this. He considers all of his work to be self portraiture, be it psychological, or emotional. He wants his work to inspire people to think about things they may not have otherwise, or to feel less alone if they can relate to his artwork. His artist statement boils down to ‘stay ugly’ because he believes in the ‘ugly’ truth of things. It’s so important to be honest, to communicate, and to attempt empathy – even when it’s uncomfortable or difficult. You can find him on his website and Instagram.

By Chay Ruby.