Ray, Tom
Size: 0.2 linear feet
Summary: 45 letters to Tom Ray from Henry Bridgewater written during his incarceration at the Louisiana State Penitentiary. Bridgewater writes about his works of art, in particular, lamps he created that he would send to Ray. Lamps were based on iconic figures including Wyatt Earp, Dolly Parton, Madonna, Tina Turner and others.
Tom Ray was a friend of Lousiana outsider artist, Henry Bridgewater (1925-2001). Bridgewater was incarcerated in 1966 for two life sentences at the Lousiana State Penitentiary, Angola, Lousiana.
The collection was donated in 2019 by Tom Ray.
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center.
Tom Ray letters from Henry Bridgewater, 1992-1999. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
