William Wegman (American, b. 1943)

William Wegman is among the earliest video artists. Wegman was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts. After teaching for several years, Wegman left to pursue an interest in the infant medium of video, producing short videotapes in the early 1970s. Many featured his canine companion, a Weimaraner named Man Ray. These tapes parody “high art,” recording single takes in real time, and using sight gags, minimalist performance, and deadpan humor. In 1972, Wegman and Man Ray moved to New York, and in 1986, a new dog, Fay Ray, came into Wegman’s life, beginning another famous collaboration. His photographs, videos, paintings, and drawings have been exhibited in museums and galleries world-wide.