Lowry, Ray (1944 - 2008)

Raymond Lowry original cartoon artwork

Ray Lowry went to Urmston Grammar School, but left at fifteen to start work in a Manchester advertising agency. A self-taught artist, his first cartoon was published in the Manchester Evening News around 1967.

Lowry became a professional cartoonist in 1969 – contributing to Punch (for which he later also drew covers), Private Eye and Mayfair – and also drew for The Guardian, Manchester Review, Mojo, Vox, Arena, Tatler, The Big Issue, New Society, Time Out, The Observer, City Fun, The Independent, Loaded and The Spectator, among other publications. Lowry had a sketchy style produced using a Gillott nib with Indian ink and wash, signing his work ‘RLOWRY’, in capitals. Writing in New Society Simon Frith once wrote on Ray’s jokes about the music industry and described him as "A jaded rock ‘n’ roll fan….. cynical and angry…. Lowry’s real hate-figures aren’t businessmen but the Sunday Times bourgeois pop person"