On May 12, 2008 the Art World lost renowned artist, Robert Rauschenberg. He died in Florida at the age of 82. Rauschenberg, who was a pioneer in the creative world and an inspiration for many including artist Jasper Johns. Time Magazine art critic Robert Hughs said, “(Rauschenberg had a) bigness of soul and a richness of temperament that recalled Walt Whitman.”

DeVorzon Gallery artist Laddie John Dill looks back, “Robert introduced me to the New York Art Scene and was responsible for many of the wonderful things that happened early on my career… the world had a great loss today.”

Rauschenberg’s style was unique and set the tone for the transition from Abstract Impressionism to Pop Art.

“I like things that are almost souvenirs of a creation, as opposed to being an artwork,” he said in a 1997 Harper’s Bazaar interview, “because the process is more interesting than completing the stuff.”

The passing of Rauschenberg marks a sad day for the art world, however we should all be inspired by what he told Harper’s about his fear of dying, “…my fear is that something interesting will happen, and I’ll miss it.”

The art world will always be evolving and we need to remember to embrace the energy that is flowing among a younger generation of creative minds. Let’s ask ourselves, “Who will be the next Robert Rauschenberg?”

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