ROBERT COMBAS

Robert Combas was born on May 25, 1957, in Lyon. He is a multidisciplinary artist—painter, sculptor, and illustrator. In the 1980s, he founded the Figuration Libre movement (named by Ben Vautier), alongside artists such as Rémi Blanchard, Hervé Di Rosa, and François Boisrond. This movement, as a reaction against dominant abstract and conceptual art, drew on diverse elements of popular culture including rock music, graffiti, and comic books.

Trained at the School of Fine Arts in Montpellier between 1975 and 1977, Combas quickly stood out for his prolific and energetic output. He champions complete freedom of expression and works across a wide range of mediums: painting, drawing, sculpture, music, and video. His work is characterized by the rejection of any hierarchy between high and low culture, and a strong punk spirit. He distances himself from mainstream art practices and the institutional art world. His canvases are often enriched with “fake writings” and calligraphic elements reminiscent of Lettrism.

Drawing on Expressionism, Combas tackles both contemporary issues and major historical themes with a vivid and humorous touch.
In recent years, his artistic practice has continued to evolve, exploring spiritual and universal themes, notably through his well-known “sequence paintings” and portraits. Constantly experimenting with new formats and media, Combas affirms his central role in contemporary art with a body of work marked by transgression, freedom, and creativity.