Tony Rave (b. Detroit, 1986) started creating art at a very young age with the support of his family and teachers. His undertakings exhibit an audacious proficiency of both craft and intentionality. Rave’s work has received wide appeal in both national and international forums, and as part of solo and group exhibitions from Detroit to New York to Rio de Janeiro. He has been awarded residencies from the Heidelberg Project Residency Program (2014) and the Red Bull House of Art Residence Program (2015). He has also been the recipient of a number of grants and awards, such as from the Knight Foundation (2014), the Community Connection Skillman Foundation (2017), and Modern Ancient Brown (2020). He credits the evolution of his craft—from tattoo art, to mural art, to conceptual art—to personal life experience, to powerful mentorship, and to his passion and avid dedication to the craft. Rave also believes in the role of art in community-building. He has supported his own community by initiating a number of platforms and spaces for local artists, including 48 Hour, an artists’ platform aiming to create a global dialogue with Black artists living and creating in Detroit.
