Rais Rayan was born in Tanjungenim, Palembang, on July 15th 1932. In the Indonesia Independence War, Rais joined the guerrilla and made some posters to frighthening the Dutch soldiers. His painting education formally achieved in ASRI Yogyakarta (1950-1955). Besides painting, he also learned sculpture, theater, and also active in several art organisation.

His exhibition were as follows: Painting and Graphic Exhibition with Pelukis Indonesia Muda (PIM) at Balai Budaya Jakarta (1953), Pameran Seni Lukis Panca Karya in Kediri (1979), Pameran Bersama at Taman Budaya Surabaya (1989), Pameran Lukis Berdua at PPIA Surabaya, Pameran Seni Lukis KSRI at Purna Budaya Yogyakarta, and Pameran Bersama 50 Pelukis Yogyakarta SEKATA in Jakarta (1993).

In art organisation, Rais Rayan had been the member of PIM Yogyakarta (1953-1987), in 1964 became the founding and chairman of Sanggar 64 in Kediri and Yayasan Lembaga Seni Rupa Indonesia Kediri, also in the years of 1995-2002, he became the mentor and advisor for Sanggar Suwung Yogyakarta.

He received many awards from Panitia Peringatan Proklamasi ke XIII in Kediri (1958), Piagam Kesenian from Dirjen Kebudayaan Propinsi Jawa Timur (1969), from Panitia Pekan Seni Antar PTN dan Swasta Surabaya (1980), from Panitia Pekan Seni PORSENI Surabaya (1981), from Taman Budaya Surayaba (1980), from Taman Budaya Yogyakarta in Biennale I (1988) and Biennale II (1990). Also from Panitia Pameran Kesetiakawanan Seni Rupa Indonesia Yogyakarta (1991), from Panitia Festival Kesenian Yogyakarta (FKY) V (1993), FKY VI (1994), from Sarjana Wiyata Taman Siswa Yogyakarta (1994), and from Museum Vredenburg Fort Yogyakarta (1994).