Ghisbert Combas Paintings


Ghisbert Combas, born on February 22, 1957, in Lyon, France, is a contemporary artist known for his vibrant and often provocative works that draw from a variety of influences, including punk culture, comics, medieval history, and graffiti. His art is characterized by a riot of colors, frenetic lines, and a blend of figuration and abstraction that often includes textual elements and a collage-like composition.

Combas grew up during a time of significant cultural change, which is reflected in his work. He was part of the 'Figuration Libre' movement in France, which emerged in the early 1980s. This movement was a response to the dominant trends of conceptual and minimalist art and can be seen as the French equivalent to the American Neo-Expressionism or the German 'Neue Wilde'. Artists in this movement sought to reclaim the significance of the figure and narrative in art and were known for their free, expressive style that was unconstrained by the traditional rules of artmaking.

Throughout his career, Combas has maintained a commitment to exploring personal and societal issues through his art. His works often feature a juxtaposition of the humorous and the grotesque, the sacred and the profane. Despite the seemingly chaotic nature of his compositions, his paintings are carefully crafted, with a strong sense of structure and an acute attention to detail.

Combas' work has been exhibited internationally in numerous solo and group exhibitions. His art is part of many important public and private collections, and he continues to influence younger generations of artists with his rebellious spirit and his dedication to an art that is at once accessible and complex. As of the last update to this biography, Ghisbert Combas is still alive and actively contributing to the contemporary art scene.