Robert Rauschenberg - Tate Moden

I really enjoyed my visit to this exhibition and found the work inspiring. Rauschenberg, who used all manner of materials to make his art, was considered quite controversial in his day. As part of the burgeoning Pop Art movement he rejected Abstract Expressionism as an art movement that could uncover the internal psyche of the artist. Pop Art is the beginning of a move from the all encompassing meta-narrative and the artist as 'genius', to the Postmodern concept of the artist as being part of the world, influenced by and soaking up a culture that is all around us.

Rauschenberg liked to mix up his art with found items from skips and put them to new artistic uses. He would go on walks through the streets of New York seeking out abandoned items to incorporate into his 2D and 3D pieces. A particular example of this is Rauschenberg's 'Bed', 1955. This work is part of his 'combines' series, taking items found in the everyday world and applying paint and other traditional artists materials to make a new piece of work; one that speaks of the combination of art and life and not the self reflective formality of Modernism.

I found his use of varied materials refreshing. Why should paint and paper and pencils and photo paper be considered art materials and other items as unsuitable? Surely they are all just materials! All of it is suitable for making art. To think otherwise is too formal an approach and stifling to creativity and ideas.

'Bed', 1955. Robert Rauschenberg.

'Monogram', 1959. Robert Rauschenberg.

From my own artistic perspective I was particularly drawn to his 'Scatole Personali' (Personal Boxes). These little wooden boxes containing small reliquary-like pieces are quite sculptural and, for me, exuded an intriguing narrative that held my attention. They looked like small worlds, having an almost dioramic quality to them. I am currently thinking ahead to a particular assignment for my Body of Work and how to visualise a particular event from the 'Men With the Pink Triangle Book'. This small box format has very distinct creative possibilities for me. I'm looking forward to moving through the remaining exercises and assignments on Body of Work to completion.

A collection of 'Scatole Personali', 1952-1953. Robert Rauschenberg.