In April 1983, American art dealer Léo Castelli held the

first solo exhibition in New York for 26-year-old French

artist Robert Combas. As an emerging artist, Combas

quickly attracted the attention of the international art

scene. At that time, the concept of globalization was

taking shape, and artistic movements were flourishing.In the United States, there were "New Image

Painting" and "Bad Painting"; in the United Kingdom,

"New Painting"; in Germany, "Neo-Expressionism"

and "Les Nouveaux Fauves" (New Fauvism); and in

Italy, "Transavanguardia." French artist Ben Vautier

(1935–2024) named the group of young French artists

led by Combas as "Libre Figuration" or "Nouvelle

Figuration Libre," which also shone brightly amid this

wave of avant-garde movements.

In the post-war era, a time when the art world was

actively seeking breakthroughs, Robert Combas drew

inspiration from graffiti, comics, television shows, rock

music, and punk culture, establishing a unique art

style. His work is rich in countercultural provocation,

free-from imagery, and elements of primitive art,

embodying a sense of madness. The themes of his

paintings often reflect distinctly French characteristics,

embracing multicultural influences, ethnicities, and

historical events. Combas's personal expression

through diverse art media fosters vibrant exchanges

that transcend national borders.

The artwork Untitled symbolizes the artist's dynamic

creative energy during his early career. He outlines

the four sides with bold black lines, and the dancing

protagonist dominates the canvas, evoking the

trendy Polaroid photos of the 1980s. Through his

paintings, Combas captures everyday life, revealing

his humorous and witty personality.