Born in Omaha, Nebraska, and raised in Oklahoma City, Ed Ruscha moved to Los Angeles in 1956 to attend the Chouinard Art Institute. He emerged as a significant voice in the 1960s West Coast art scene, gaining early attention for his integration of graphic design sensibilities with fine art, particularly through his pioneering artist's books that documented the vernacular landscape of Southern California.

Ruscha’s practice spans painting, photography, printmaking, and film, often characterized by the use of text as a primary visual subject. His work frequently explores the intersection of language, urban architecture, and the cinematic quality of the American West, utilizing techniques like airbrushing and unconventional materials such as organic substances to create his signature aesthetic.

His work remains a fixture in major institutional programming, with recent contributions including a commission for the 2026 LACMA exhibition Artists Inspired by Music: Interscope Reimagined. He continues to be a defining influence on contemporary art, maintaining a long-standing studio practice in Culver City, California.