Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Robert Combas Biography
Robert Combas is a French artist whose vibrant and unapologetically bold work has left an indelible mark on the contemporary art scene. Born on May 25, 1957, in Lyon, France, Combas spent his formative years in the coastal town of Sète. His childhood and adolescence in this Mediterranean setting would later influence the colorful and dynamic nature of his art. In 1980, he moved to the Paris region, where he has since lived and worked, immersing himself in the bustling and diverse cultural landscape of the French capital.
Combas emerged as a pivotal figure in the art world during the early 1980s when he, along with fellow artists Remi Blanchard, François Boisrond, and Hervé Di Rosa, founded the "Figuration Libre" movement. This movement was a French counterpart to the American Neo-Expressionism and was characterized by a return to figurative painting, drawing inspiration from a variety of pop cultural sources such as graffiti, comic strips, and rock music. Figuration Libre was a reaction against the minimalist and conceptual art that dominated the preceding decades, and it sought to create art that was more reflective of the everyday experiences and the vibrant undercurrents of society.
Combas' work is known for its energetic and often chaotic depictions of the human form, frequently set in wild, orgiastic, or violent scenes. His paintings are teeming with figures and narratives, drawing the viewer into a world where the lines between celebration and transgression are blurred. The artist's style is marked by the use of bright, unmodulated colors and a black line that delineates the figures, giving his work a sense of immediacy and raw emotion. His canvases are often large and filled with a proliferation of bodies, street poetry, and designs that echo the compulsive patterning found in folk and outsider art.
Throughout his career, Combas has maintained a strong connection to music, which has been both a source of inspiration and an integral part of his creative process. His work often features rock music themes and iconography, and he has even ventured into performance art and music production, further blurring the lines between different artistic disciplines.
Combas' art is not just a visual feast; it is also a commentary on society, touching on themes such as violence, sexuality, and the human condition. His work speaks to the joys and sufferings of people, their vices and virtues, and the complexities of modern life. Despite the often serious subject matter, there is a sense of humor and satire that pervades his paintings, inviting the viewer to engage with the work on multiple levels.
One of the defining moments of Combas' career was the major retrospective dedicated to his work at the MAC Lyon in 2012, which showcased over 600 of his works dating from the 1970s to the present. This exhibition not only highlighted his contributions to the Figuration Libre movement but also underscored his ongoing influence on the contemporary art world.
Combas' art is a testament to his belief in the freedom of expression and the importance of the artist's voice in society. His paintings are a reflection of his worldview, one that is unfiltered and unafraid to confront the viewer with the rawness of human experience. As an artist, Combas continues to evolve, experimenting with new techniques and mediums, but his commitment to depicting the human figure and exploring the depths of our collective psyche remains unwavering.
In summary, Robert Combas is an artist whose work is characterized by its vibrancy, energy, and bold commentary on the human experience. As a leading figure in the Figuration Libre movement, he has played a significant role in shaping the direction of contemporary art, and his influence continues to be felt in the art world today. His paintings are a celebration of life in all its complexity, a colorful and musical adventure that invites us to reflect on the world around us.
Robert Combas Quotes and Sales
of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
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