Raymond Pettibon, best known for his incisive pen and ink critiques of contemporary society, came to prominence in the Southern California punk rock scene of the early 1980s. Taking inspiration from comic books, political cartoons and DIY-culture, Pettibon has also cited William Blake, Edward Hopper, and Francisco Goya as influences. Although most closely associated with drawings in India ink on paper, he is also an accomplished collagist, a facility which is echoed in his wide-ranging erudition: blending text and figuration, Pettibon invokes myriad historical and contemporary references to create work that is by turns enigmatic, pointedly political and perversely funny. Pettibon was born in 1957 in Tucson Arizona, and grew up in Hermosa Beach, California. He earned a degree in economics from UCLA in 1977, and briefly worked as a math teacher before turning his attention to the arts. Largely self taught, he began by designing album covers, promotional posters and ephemera for his brother’s band, the seminal hardcore punk group Black Flag, in the mid-‘70s. Around this time, he adopted the surname Pettibon (he was born Raymond Ginn), a reference to the nickname Petit Bon (“good little one”) given to him by his father. Pettibon began exhibiting in the 1980s, rapidly becoming a well-known fixture in the contemporary arts scene. Since then he has participated in numerous important group and solo exhibitions and has been included in the Whitney Biennial, Venice Biennale and documenta XI. He is the recipient of many awards and honors, including the 2004 Whitney Biennial Bucksbaum Award and the 2010 Oskar Kokoschka Prize. Pettibon’s work is in the collections of institutions worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art and Whitney Museum of American Art in New York; Walker Art Center in Minneapolis; Los Angeles County Museum of Art; Tate Gallery in London; and Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris. Pettibon currently lives and works in New York.

Raymond Pettibon

Contemporary Day Auction

Raymond Pettibon b. 1957 No Title (You cannot enclose...) acrylic, watercolor, ink, crayon and paper collage on paper 50 by 60 in. 127 by 152.4 cm. Executed in 2017.

View 1 of Lot 641: No Title (You cannot enclose...)

no title (you cannot enclose...)

This work is now sold out. Don't miss out on new LIMITED releases: Shop Sotheby's <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/fine-art/editions/LIMITED" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LIMITED</a>, exclusive editions created in collaboration with leading contemporary artists only available at Sotheby's. <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/introducing-the-sothebys-limited-patron-program" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Elevate your experience – join our Sotheby's LIMITED Patron Program</a> No Title (What is the...) by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Raymond+Pettibon&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Raymond Pettibon</a>, 2026.<ul><li>Raymond Pettibon (American, born 1957).</li><li>LITO Hi-Rnd © technology print on anodized aluminum.</li><li>Part of a limited edition of 15.</li><li>Signed and numbered by the artist.</li><li>This work is presented framed.</li></ul> Sotheby’s and LITO present a new release by Raymond Pettibon, featuring three works drawn from the artist’s enduring engagement with the imagery of the ocean and the solitary surfer. Emerging from the Southern California punk scene of the 1980s, Pettibon developed a visual language that would come to define a generation. Originally recognized for his graphics, posters and album artwork for influential bands including Black Flag and Sonic Youth, he has since established himself as one of the most celebrated figures in contemporary American art. Throughout his practice, Pettibon has combined image and text to create works that are at once poetic, provocative and psychologically charged. First developed in the mid-1980s, Pettibon’s wave and surfer works occupy a distinctive place within his oeuvre. Neither straightforward depictions of surfing nor celebrations of coastal life, these compositions explore the tension between human scale and the immense, unpredictable forces of nature. The motif of the lone surfer navigating towering waves has become one of the most enduring and recognizable subjects in the artist’s work. The three new editions — No Title (What is the…), No Title (As she turn’d…) and No Title (But the sand…) — embody this recurring theme through dynamic compositions, expressive mark-making and vibrant color. Conceived on mirrored aluminum and anodized aluminum, the works engage with the material qualities of their supports, creating shifting visual experiences that evolve with light, perspective and environment. Produced using LITO’s proprietary Hi-Rnd© technology, the editions bring together texture, relief, color and surface in a new original body of work.

No Title (What is the...)

A <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=punk%20flyer&amp;tab=objects&amp;sortBy=bsp_dotcom_prod_en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">punk flyer</a> designed by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Raymond%20Pettibon&amp;tab=objects&amp;sortBy=bsp_dotcom_prod_en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Raymond Pettibon</a> for a performance of the bands Black Flag, Stains, Youth Gone Mad, Caustic Cause, and Fear at Devonshire Downs, Sep 11, 1981.<ul><li>After Raymond Pettibon (American, born 1957).</li><li>Off-set printed punk flyer.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> Raymond Pettibon popularized the American punk aesthetic with his designs that captured the riotous and chaotic character of punk such as this Black Flag flyer. In your face and rebellious, Black Flag defined American punk with their destructive energy and spontaneity evoked here in the black and white designs, making the portraits reverberate both visually &amp; contextually.

Black Flag Punk Music Flyer

A punk flyer advertising The Dead Kennedys and The Circle Jerks in concert.<ul><li>Raymond Pettibon (American, b. 1957).</li><li>Produced for the occasion of the bands concert at The Whisky A Go Go in August, 1980.</li><li>Offset Printed.</li></ul>

The Dead Kennedys and The Circle Jerks Punk Flyer

This work is now sold out. Don't miss out on new LIMITED releases: Shop Sotheby's <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/fine-art/editions/LIMITED" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LIMITED</a>, exclusive editions created in collaboration with leading contemporary artists only available at Sotheby's. <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/introducing-the-sothebys-limited-patron-program" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Elevate your experience – join our Sotheby's LIMITED Patron Program</a> No Title (As she turn'd...) by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Raymond+Pettibon&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Raymond Pettibon</a>, 2026.<ul><li>Raymond Pettibon (American, born 1957).</li><li>LITO Hi-Rnd © technology print on mirrored aluminum.</li><li>Part of a limited edition of 15.</li><li>Signed and numbered by the artist.</li><li>This work is presented framed.</li></ul> Sotheby’s and LITO present a new release by Raymond Pettibon, featuring three works drawn from the artist’s enduring engagement with the imagery of the ocean and the solitary surfer. Emerging from the Southern California punk scene of the 1980s, Pettibon developed a visual language that would come to define a generation. Originally recognized for his graphics, posters and album artwork for influential bands including Black Flag and Sonic Youth, he has since established himself as one of the most celebrated figures in contemporary American art. Throughout his practice, Pettibon has combined image and text to create works that are at once poetic, provocative and psychologically charged. First developed in the mid-1980s, Pettibon’s wave and surfer works occupy a distinctive place within his oeuvre. Neither straightforward depictions of surfing nor celebrations of coastal life, these compositions explore the tension between human scale and the immense, unpredictable forces of nature. The motif of the lone surfer navigating towering waves has become one of the most enduring and recognizable subjects in the artist’s work. The three new editions — No Title (What is the…), No Title (As she turn’d…) and No Title (But the sand…) — embody this recurring theme through dynamic compositions, expressive mark-making and vibrant color. Conceived on mirrored aluminum and anodized aluminum, the works engage with the material qualities of their supports, creating shifting visual experiences that evolve with light, perspective and environment. Produced using LITO’s proprietary Hi-Rnd© technology, the editions bring together texture, relief, color and surface in a new original body of work.

No Title (As she turn'd...)

A flyer for a performance by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Black%20Flag&amp;tab=objects&amp;sortBy=bsp_dotcom_prod_en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Black Flag</a>, Circle One, Saint Vitus, and the Nig-Heist, featuring artwork by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Raymond%20Pettibon&amp;tab=objects&amp;sortBy=bsp_dotcom_prod_en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Raymond Pettibon</a>.<ul><li>After Raymond Pettibon (American, born 1957).</li><li>Produced for a performance at Dancing Waters on August 6, 1982.</li><li>Offset-printed in black and white.</li><li>Plate signed by Pettibon.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> Pettibon caption reads: "I feel better already." Between the years 1978 and 1986 Raymond Pettibon (aka, Raymond Pettibone; St. Pettibone) produced a now historic amassment of graphic works for the seminal Southern California punk band Black Flag. Published mostly by SST Records - founded by Pettibon's brother and Black Flag guitarist, Greg Ginn, these works shed valuable light on the origin and development of Pettibon’s thematic interests and style; not to mention his evolution into one of the most important artist’s of his generation.

Raymond Pettibon Black Flag Punk Flyer

This work is now sold out. Don't miss out on new LIMITED releases: Shop Sotheby's <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/fine-art/editions/LIMITED" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LIMITED</a>, exclusive editions created in collaboration with leading contemporary artists only available at Sotheby's. <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/introducing-the-sothebys-limited-patron-program" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Elevate your experience – join our Sotheby's LIMITED Patron Program</a> No Title (But the sand...)&nbsp;by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Raymond+Pettibon&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Raymond Pettibon</a>, 2026.<ul><li>Raymond Pettibon (American, born 1957).</li><li>LITO Hi-Rnd © technology print on mirrored aluminum.</li><li>Part of a limited edition of 25.</li><li>Signed and numbered by the artist.</li><li>This work is presented framed.</li></ul> Sotheby’s and LITO present a new release by Raymond Pettibon, featuring three works drawn from the artist’s enduring engagement with the imagery of the ocean and the solitary surfer. Emerging from the Southern California punk scene of the 1980s, Pettibon developed a visual language that would come to define a generation. Originally recognized for his graphics, posters and album artwork for influential bands including Black Flag and Sonic Youth, he has since established himself as one of the most celebrated figures in contemporary American art. Throughout his practice, Pettibon has combined image and text to create works that are at once poetic, provocative and psychologically charged. First developed in the mid-1980s, Pettibon’s wave and surfer works occupy a distinctive place within his oeuvre. Neither straightforward depictions of surfing nor celebrations of coastal life, these compositions explore the tension between human scale and the immense, unpredictable forces of nature. The motif of the lone surfer navigating towering waves has become one of the most enduring and recognizable subjects in the artist’s work. The three new editions — No Title (What is the…), No Title (As she turn’d…) and No Title (But the sand…) — embody this recurring theme through dynamic compositions, expressive mark-making and vibrant color. Conceived on mirrored aluminum and anodized aluminum, the works engage with the material qualities of their supports, creating shifting visual experiences that evolve with light, perspective and environment. Produced using LITO’s proprietary Hi-Rnd© technology, the editions bring together texture, relief, color and surface in a new original body of work.

No Title (But the sand...)

A flyer for concert by the bands Black Flag, DOA, Descendents and Wasted Youth, featuring artwork by Raymond Pettibon.<ul><li>Raymond Pettibon (American, b. 1957).</li><li>Offset printed&nbsp;on paper.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul>

Black Flag Concert Flyer

A <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=punk+flyer&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">punk flyer</a> advertising a performance of <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Black+Flag&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Black Flag</a>, designed by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Raymond+Pettibon&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Raymond Pettibon</a>.<ul><li>After Raymond Pettibon (American, born 1957).</li><li>Published on the occasion of: Black Flag, Saccharine Trust, The Minutemen, Plebes, Adolescents, and Channel3, February 26-27th and March 5th, 1982.</li><li>Pettibon caption reads: "Will I turn you on or will I turn on you?"</li><li>Unsigned, from an edition of unknown size.</li><li>Offset printed flyer.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> Flea, the Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist once said of Pettibon's Black Flag illustrations and iconic logo: "Before I knew what Black Flag was I remember walking around Hollywood and seeing Raymond's flyers and being like, 'What the fuck is that?'… Those flyers made me feel like something is going on and it's romantic and it's mysterious and it's heavy and I don't know what it is but I wanna know." Between the years 1978 and 1986 Raymond Pettibon (aka, Raymond Pettibone; St. Pettibone) produced a now historic amassment of graphic works for the seminal Southern California punk band Black Flag. Published mostly by SST Records - founded by Pettibon's brother and Black Flag guitarist, Greg Ginn, these works shed valuable light on the origin and development of Pettibon’s thematic interests &amp; style; not to mention his evolution into one of the most important artist’s of his generation.

A collection of announcement cards and a fold-out poster with artwork by Raymond Pettibon.<ul><li>Sold as a set of 5.</li><li>Includes four announcement cards and one publication featuring a fold-out poster.</li><li>Includes the following:</li><li>"Raymond Pettibon," Feature gallery, New York, NY, February 18–March 18, 1989.</li><li>"Raymond Pettibon," A&amp;P Gallery Closing Announcement, New York, NY, October 3, 1986.</li><li>Raymond Pettibon Poster, "Super Session Rules," 1993, in Picturebook Art quarterly.</li><li>"Raymond Pettibon: The Santa Monica Museum of Arts," 2001.</li><li>"Raymond Pettibon Printed Matter," 2014.</li></ul>

Raymond Pettibon Announcement Cards and Poster

A folding double-sided flyer advertising the band Black Flag's records and Raymond Pettibon books.<ul><li>Raymond Pettibon (American, b. 1957).</li><li>Published by SST Records in 1985.</li><li>Pettibon credit appears on reverse side.</li><li>Offset printed.</li></ul> Between the years 1978 and 1986, Raymond Pettibon produced a now historic amassment of graphic works for the seminal Southern California punk band Black Flag. Published mostly by SST Records—founded by Pettibon's brother and Black Flag guitarist Greg Ginn—these works shed valuable light on the origin and development of Pettibon’s thematic interests and style, not to mention his evolution into one of the most important artists of his generation.

Raymond Pettibon Black Flag Merchandise Flyer

Exhibition Announcement cards with artwork by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Raymond+Pettibon&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Raymond Pettibon</a>.<ul><li>Sold as a set of 6.</li><li>After Raymond Pettibon (American, born 1957).</li><li>Published between 1993-2006.</li><li>Offset printed.</li><li>Each is presented unframed.</li></ul> Published on the occasion of the following Pettibon exhibitions:<ul><li>Ikon LTD./Kay Richards, 1999</li><li>Feature 1993</li><li>Macba 2002</li><li>Regen Projects 2006</li><li>Santa Monica: Museum of Modern Art 2001</li><li>David Zwirner 1997</li></ul>

Raymond Pettibon Exhibition Announcement Cards

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