Robert Combas

Robert Combas (b. 1957, Lyon) is a French contemporary artist celebrated for founding the Figuration Libre movement in the early 1980s. His work, known for its bold colors, dynamic lines, and pop culture influences, blends elements of graffiti, comics, and rock music. Combas is ranked among the 500 most valuable artists worldwide by Artprice, and his art continues to be recognized for its raw energy and expressive, figurative style.

During the summer of 2025, the town of La Grande Motte honored him. The Mediterranean city gave the artist carte blanche to create a summer exhibition. Robert Combas took the opportunity to showcase some of his iconic paintings and sculptures, while also exhibiting unique works created especially for the occasion. But that's not all: the city also installed a light-up mural on its Quai d'Honneur. This spectacular installation offered passersby a magical spectacle: a work by Combas coming to life at nightfall. Finally, Combas was immortalized by the lens of photographer Philipp Hugues Bonan. The photographs, exhibited in a hotel in the city, allowed visitors to gain an intimate insight into the artist and the creation of his works.

In 2024, Combas showcased his latest exhibition "WAR" at Strouk Gallery, further cementing his relevance in the global art scene. The upcoming "Luxe, Calme et Volupté" exhibition at La Malmaison, Cannes (2025) will also spotlight his enduring impact. Combas's large-scale works and sculptures continue to challenge artistic boundaries, blending social commentary with vibrant expressionism.

Combas studied at the Montpellier School of Fine Arts, where he rejected the intellectualism of conceptual art and embraced spontaneous, figurative creation. His early works, like Battles and Arab Pop Art, tackled themes of social issues, politics, and irony, which laid the foundation for his development of a bold, expressive style. In 1981, Combas co-founded the Figuration Libre movement, which rejected the minimalist and austere art of the 1970s in favor of vibrant, humorous, and energetic expressions.

Inspired by street culture, graffiti art, and popular imagery, his paintings explore society, sexuality, mythology, and everyday life. Known for chaotic compositions and powerful figures, Combas's works have been exhibited globally, including a major retrospective at MAC Lyon in 2012, featuring over 600 pieces spanning his career. His sculptures and limited-edition prints continue to captivate collectors worldwide.

Combas's art is associated with movements like Pop Culture Street Art and Neo-expressionism, solidifying his position as a major figure in contemporary art. His expressive figurative compositions, playful elements of street art, and profound connection to pop culture and visual storytelling have made him a cornerstone of modern artistic practice.