Robert Rauschenberg

Robert Rauschenberg was an artist who personally felt the need to create abstract works. He explored the possibilities of art. In other words his work challenged the audience to find meaning where the purpose or reasoning wasn't clear. Often times he was criticized for this style but in truth it was accomplishing much of what he sought for. The audience became engaged, sort of like the art appealed to much more than just the visual senses.

What's unique about Rauschenberg is that he himself claimed that he learned very little from art classes, but instead developed his artistic style and skills from the outside world. Eventually he came to the conclusion that discipline was an essential tool for an artist. Discipline in no way meant that he had to stick to one means of accomplishing a goal or task but rather, he would have to have the patience to learn different techniques and skills. Basically allow himself to finally learn from others.

Robert Rauschenberg created abstract art which not all understood, but he did so not necessarily for others to see but rather as a way of finding fulfillment in life. He stated, "I don't think of myself as making art. I do what I do because I want to, because painting is the best way I've found to get along with myself. And it's always the moment of doing it that counts." Rauschenberg teaches us that art is a way of learning about oneself but more importantly a way of growing.