Anyone who’s played UNO knows how quickly a friendly game can turn into a fierce showdown—especially when someone slaps down that dreaded “Pick Up 4” card. Growing up, family game nights often started with laughter, but the moment that card hit the table, all bets were off. We’d argue, laugh, and accuse each other of plotting, only to have the tension break when someone finally shouted “UNO!” That lighthearted competition and playful chaos make the 50-plus-year-old UNO more than just a card game. It’s a ritual, a shared experience that my family has kept, no matter how heated things get.
The UNO Artiste Series taps into this spirit of fun and connection, blending art with the nostalgia of one of the world’s most beloved games. Since its debut in 2019 with Jean-Michel Basquiat’s singular paintings, the Artiste series has become a celebration of creativity, featuring artists like Keith Haring, Nina Chanel Abney, Shepard Fairey, and most recently, Shantell Martin. Now, the series welcomes its first photographer, Gray Malin, whose work is all about capturing joy and escapism.
We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Gray Malin into the UNO Artiste Series. His photography invites fans to remove themselves from reality and experience new landscapes and environments, much like a game of UNO can do for families and friends.
Ray Adler, Vice President and Global Head of Games
Malin’s deck turns the game table into a visual adventure. Instead of just playing a card, you’re invited into his world of stunning aerial shots and vibrant, sun-soaked scenes. From tropical beaches to snowy slopes, and even a few playful animals thrown into the mix, his photography transports players to iconic destinations while they navigate the highs and lows of an intense UNO match. When you’re relegated to picking up cards after that “Pick Up 4” hits, you might pause to take in a breathtaking view of the world through Malin’s lens.
Gray Malin’s photographs, capturing everything from tropical beaches to snow-covered peaks, turn each card into a portal to a new destination. The collaboration is a reflection of Malin’s creative ethos: blending art, adventure, and a sense of wanderlust. This deck is more than a game—it’s a reminder that even in the most familiar moments, like a casual game night, there’s always room to explore the world, one card at a time.
It’s an honor to merge my photography, spanning many series of work in my portfolio, with a game I’ve loved since I was a child.
Gray Malin
“This partnership is meaningful to me because UNO’s mission to foster togetherness through play is so closely tied to my own personal pursuit to bring people together through my photography,” Malin said of the project. “I love creating images that everyone feels included in and offers a moment that families want to live within. From beach chairs to the ski lift, the scenes from my photos are meant to spark an adventurous spirit and create a shared experience through art. I hope that fans take and play their UNO Artiste Series: Gray Malin decks anywhere around the world – even in the places that have inspired my photography.”
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