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Robert Combas, born on May 25, 1957, in Lyon, is a renowned contemporary artist known for his work as a painter, sculptor, and illustrator. He co-founded the artistic movement of free figuration with Hervé Di Rosa, marked by the first publication of the magazine Bato in 1979. As a leading figure of this movement in Europe, Combas is regarded as one of the most significant French contemporary artists since the 1980s. He is the only French artist consistently featured in Artprice's annual ranking of the world's top 500 contemporary artists. Major retrospectives of his work were held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Lyon in 2012 and at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco in 2016. Combas is also a musician and avid collector of musical recordings, particularly vinyl records.
Artist Biography: Rober Combas
Robert Combas was born on May 25, 1957, in Lyon. In 1961, he moved with his family to Sète in the Hérault region, where he spent his childhood and adolescence in a family with communist beliefs. The son of a laborer father and a cleaning agent mother, Combas grew up in a family of six children. He left school at 17 and studied at the School of Fine Arts in Sète for a year with Éliane Beaupuy-Manciet before attending the École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Montpellier from 1975 to 1979. From his entry into art school, Combas introduced a novel aesthetic, opposing the dominant conceptual art movement in . He aimed to redefine the use of space, color, and figuration, believing that “everything has already been done.” His early work included the "Battles" series in 1977, followed by appropriations of Mickey Mouse, and later the creation of “Arab Pop Art,” featuring works with faux Arabic scripts reminiscent of ments from developing countries. His raw style drew influences from television, rock music, comics, and sexuality. Combas graduated from the Fine Arts School in Saint-Étienne in 1979, where Bernard Ceysson, a jury member, invited him to participate in the "Après le classicisme" exhibition at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Saint-Étienne. This marked the beginning of his formal recognition in the art world.
In 1979, Combas, along with Hervé Di Rosa and Catherine Brindel, founded the magazine Bato in Sète, a collective art publication. While Combas studied at the Fine Arts School in Montpellier, Di Rosa attended the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, where he met François Boisrond. Introduced to art critic Bernard Lamarche-Vadel, they participated in the 1981 exhibition "Finir en beauté" in Paris, marking the start of the free figuration movement. The term "free figuration" was coined in 1981 by artist Ben, who invited Combas and Di Rosa to exhibit in Nice. This movement included artists like Rémi Blanchard, François Boisrond, Robert Combas, Hervé Di Rosa, and Ludovic Marchand. The 1984 exhibition "5/5, Figuration libre /USA" at the Paris Museum of Modern Art officially established the movement, juxtaposing French artists with New York graffiti artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. Combas’s work is characterized by its vibrant, graphic style influenced by comics, science fiction, children's drawings, and urban culture. Unlike their American counterparts, the free figuration artists drew more from popular arts, with Combas incorporating elements of Arab and African imagery.
Today, Robert Combas is celebrated with major retrospectives and institutional exhibitions. His work, often described as rock 'n' roll and punk, features bold colors and expressive figures. Despite ups and downs in his career, Combas continues to work tirelessly, though he remains pessimistic about the future. His younger brother, Marc, also a painter and illustrator, is known by the pseudonym Topolino.
Figuration Libre
The Figuration Libre movement emerged in the early 1980s, amidst a backdrop of serious, minimalist, and conceptual art. Promoted by Hervé Perdriolle and Bernard Lamarche-Vadel, who organized key exhibitions like "Finir en beauté," this highly publicized movement gathered prominent figures such as Robert Combas, Hervé Di Rosa, Richard Di Rosa, Rémi Blanchard, François Boisrond, Louis Jammes, Catherine Viollet, Pascal Le Gras, and Olivier Costa. Between 1982 and 1985, these artists frequently exhibited alongside their American counterparts, including Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Kenny Scharf, in cities like New York, London, Pittsburgh, and Paris. The 1984 exhibition "5/5, Figuration libre /USA" at the Paris Museum of Modern Art officially launched the movement, comparing and contrasting it with New York graffiti artists. This period also saw the emergence of similar movements globally, such as Neo-Expressionists or New Fauves in , Transavantgarde in Italy, and Bad Painting in the United States. The Figuration Libre artists embraced a colorful, graphic style influenced by comics, science fiction, children’s drawings, and suburban culture, celebrating the freedom to blend high and low art without cultural or geographical boundaries. This vibrant, playful approach starkly contrasted with the somber, austere art of the 1970s, resonating with contemporary life and popular culture.
Le Perroquet Grec Marotte Raconteur (1986) by Robert Combas
Robert Combas, Le Perroquet Grec Marotte Raconteur, 1986. Painting, 200cm x 220cm.
Le Perroquet Grec Marotte Raconteur, a painting by Robert Combas created in 1986, exemplifies his signature Figuration Libre style. This vibrant and dynamic work features a central figure that resembles a pig dressed in human clothing, holding a staff symbolizing power. Surrounding this central character, various other animals are depicted, each rendered with Combas's distinctive blend of bold lines, vivid colors, and playful forms. The composition is lively and whimsical, with each element contributing to a narrative that feels both chaotic and cohesive. Combas's use of bright, contrasting hues and intricate detailing invites viewers into a fantastical world, reflecting his unique ability to merge popular culture, mythology, and personal imagination into a singular, compelling visual experience.
Bataille à Coups de Feu Allongés, Ambiance Caramba Colorée (1984) by Robert Combas
Robert Combas, Bataille à Coups de Feu Allongés, Ambiance Caramba Colorée, 1986. Painting, 160cm x 280cm.
Bataille à Coups de Feu Allongés, Ambiance Caramba Colorée, painted by Robert Combas in 1984, is a striking example of his distinctive Figuration Libre style, capturing the chaos and intensity of battle. The canvas is primarily dominated by a deep black background, which provides a stark contrast to the white lines that carve out the dynamic shapes and forms of the characters depicted. These figures are embroiled in a violent conflict, shooting at each other and running in a frantic bid for survival, creating a scene that feels both chaotic and intensely animated. The painting's dark and aggressive tone is accentuated by the artist's use of vibrant splashes of red and yellow, which cut across the canvas, infusing the composition with a sense of urgency and life. These bright colors add a dynamic element to the otherwise somber palette, highlighting the violence and energy of the depicted scene. The contrast between the black background and the vivid colors serves to draw the viewer's eye across the canvas, emphasizing the frenetic action taking place. Combas's style in this painting is a blend of art brut (outsider art) and figuration libre, reflecting his unique approach to art that defies conventional norms. His use of raw, expressive lines and bold colors speaks to the influence of both these movements, while also showcasing his personal artistic vision. The figures in the painting are rendered in a way that is both abstract and highly expressive, conveying a sense of movement and emotion that is palpable. The title, Bataille à Coups de Feu Allongés, Ambiance Caramba Colorée, suggests a narrative filled with elongated gunfire and a colorful atmosphere of chaos, perfectly encapsulating the scene depicted. Combas’s ability to blend narrative and abstract elements results in a piece that is both visually striking and deeply evocative. Adding to the painting's personal touch, the artist's signature can be found at the bottom right of the canvas, blending seamlessly into the composition. This subtle signature serves as a reminder of Combas’s hand in the creation of this vivid portrayal of conflict, further emphasizing the personal expression inherent in his work. "Bataille à Coups de Feu Allongés, Ambiance Caramba Colorée" stands as a testament to Robert Combas’s ability to capture the tumult and intensity of human experience through his distinctive and powerful artistic language.
Iconic Artworks
Robert Combas's oeuvre is rich with iconic pieces that demonstrate his distinctive style and thematic versatility. Among his most notable works is Le Phœnix Contemporain (1989), an acrylic on canvas held in a private collection. Another significant piece is Le Fakir (1982), also an acrylic on canvas, housed at the Musée d'Art de Toulon. L'Archange (2010), a mixed media on canvas, is another large-scale work. Robert au jardin du Paradis, an acrylic on canvas, is part of the Laurent Strouk collection in Paris. The striking "Énergie sortant des oreilles de moi-même Double énergie oreillère avec Geneviève Bras traverseur émetteur. Énergie oreillère affluent du Soleil au oreille par la chaleur printanière. Point. (1989), an expansive acrylic on canvas at 150 × 315 cm, resides in the Frac Alsace collection in Sélestat. Les Soldats terriens contre les montres de l'espace (1983), an acrylic on canvas, continues to captivate audiences. Les Musiciens (1989), another notable acrylic on canvas. Lastly, La Fin en boucle (2010), a mixed media on canvas, a large piece exemplifying Combas's dynamic and eclectic approach to contemporary art.
Recent Exhibition History
From 2003, Robert Combas embarked on a series of significant exhibitions that underscore his influential presence in the contemporary art scene. "Peintures des années 80" debuted at Galerie Laurent Strouk in Paris and Cannes, followed in 2005 by "Mots d’oreille" at Magazzini del Sale in Venice. The following year, 2006, marked his participation in "Savoir Faire" at Seoul Museum of Art, South Korea, and "La Force de l'art" at Grand Palais, Paris. His works continued to captivate audiences in 2007 at Kyongnam Museum of Art and Asiana Museum, Daejon, South Korea, alongside the collaborative "Chemin de Croix" with Kijno at Hospice d’Hâvré, Tourcoing. In 2008, Combas exhibited at Gana Art Center, South Korea, and Fondation Vincent van Gogh, Arles, with "Qu’es aco?". "Robert Combas. Le frimeur flamboyant" took center stage at Maison européenne de la photographie, Paris. Subsequent highlights included "Freedom, Diversity and Oppression" at Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum, Bratislava, Slovakia, and "À la revoyure" at Espace Jacques Villéglé, Saint-Gratien, in 2009. His prolific career continued with exhibitions at Fondation Mudima, Milan, Galerie Hélène Trintignan, Montpellier, and "Sans filet, les Goulamas sont de retour" at Galerie Guy Pieters, Paris, in 2010. The Musée d'Art Contemporain de Lyon hosted his major retrospective "Greatest Hits" in 2012, followed by "Pour la couleur c'est au premier étage" at Galerie Laurent Strouk, Paris, in 2013. Noteworthy exhibitions at Palais du Tau, Reims, and a retrospective at Grimaldi Forum, Monte Carlo, organized by Laurent Strouk, highlighted his work in 2015 and 2016 respectively. From 2016 to 2017, Collection Lambert, Avignon, showcased "Les Combas de Lambert". Combas's innovative spirit continued with installations like "Pas droit ! Meubles de circonstance, complètement déjantés" at Château du Domaine Départemental de Chamarande in 2017. Finally, from 2019 to 2020, Galerie Pierre-Alain Challier hosted "Robert Combas et Jean-Luc Parant" in a collaborative exhibition titled "Entre quatre zieux !".
His legacy is celebrated and honored in various ways, including in the commune of Touquet-Paris-Plage. This commune, which has showcased his works, paid tribute to Combas by installing a commemorative plaque in the Jardin des Arts. The plaque, featuring the artist's signature and handprints, serves as a permanent testament to his impact on the art world and his enduring presence in the public sphere. This honor reflects Combas's significance not only as a pioneering artist but also as a cultural icon whose work continues to inspire and resonate with audiences.
Robert Combas, born in Lyon on May 25, 1957, has left an indelible mark on contemporary art through his dynamic contributions as a painter, sculptor, and illustrator. Co-founding the free figuration movement alongside Hervé Di Rosa, Combas challenged conventional norms with his bold, graphic style that fused elements of comics, pop culture, and personal mythology. His pivotal role in the movement, marked by the publication of Bato magazine in 1979, heralded a new era in French art, celebrated for its vibrant, expressive approach. Combas's influence spans decades, with major retrospectives at prestigious venues like the Museum of Contemporary Art in Lyon and the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco underscoring his enduring significance. Recognized as one of the top French contemporary artists, Combas's work continues to resonate globally, bridging high and popular culture with a distinctive, rebellious spirit that defines his artistic legacy. His recent recognition by the commune of Touquet-Paris-Plage, commemorating his contributions with a plaque featuring his signature and handprints in the Jardin des Arts, further cements his place as a cultural icon whose impact on the art world remains profound and lasting.
Selena Mattei 
