Since 1979, French artist Robert Combas (b. 1957) has been a pioneer of the “figuration libre” movement, which emerged in the 1980s to challenge traditional artistic norms and sought to democratize art by asserting that anyone could be an artist. Drawing inspiration from accessible aspects of popular culture, including punk, graffiti art and comics, “free figuration” expressed freedom as a reaction to the heavily conceptual, academic, and studio driven practices of the 1970s.

Combas fills his works with recognisable cartoon characters, rock-n-roll imagery, body parts, calligraphy – among other elements derived from his direct visual engagement with the world. In doing this, the artist’s idea is that viewers should access his art without complex theoretical or art history knowledge.