News Article

Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at FSW Presents RAUSCHENBERG: China/America Mix

Oct 10, 2014

The Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) is presenting the first solo Robert Rauschenberg exhibition since the artist’s passing in 2008.

RAUSCHENBERG: China/America Mix was inspired by Rauschenberg’s visits to China in the 1980s where he completed work on a number of collages and mounted the Rauschenberg Overseas Culture Interchange (ROCI) exhibition at the National Gallery in Beijing. His ROCI/China show was open for less than three weeks and attracted more than 300,000 visitors.

The upcoming show – Rauschenberg’s sixteenth one-man show at FSW since the gallery was founded in 1979 – will open on what would’ve been the artist’s 89th birthday, and features art that hasn’t been publicly viewed in years.

“When China/America Mix opens it will mark the first installation of Rauschenberg’s monumental 100-foot long Chinese Summerhall photograph in over a decade,” said Jade Dellinger, director of the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at FSW. “His affect still looms large around the globe, but this is particularly evident in China. To this day, the most recognized Chinese artists acknowledge his great influence and his broader impact.”

China/America Mix is part of the gallery’s fall 2014 tribute to the life and legacy of Robert Rauschenberg, as well as a celebration of his close relationship with FSW.

“There is no better way to celebrate our continued dedication to the arts in Southwest Florida then to host a solo exhibition of an artist who shared such a close relationship with FSW,” said Dr. Jeff Allbritten, FSW president.

The exhibition’s lead sponsor is FineMark National Bank & Trust in Fort Myers, a long-time supporter of FSW by providing over $100,000 in programs and scholarships. Additional support is provided by the Stanton Storer Embrace the Arts Foundation and Norman Love Confections.

A pre-opening lecture on “Rauschenberg in China” will be presented at the Rush Library Auditorium on the Thomas Edison (Lee) Campus from 6-7 p.m. by Dr. Donald Staff, founder of the University of South Florida’s Graphicstudio and Artistic Director of ROCI. Musical performances are also planned by longtime friends Dickie Landry, Kat Epple and Sonic Combine.

Exhibition Dates: October 22 – December 17

Opening and Reception: Wednesday, October 22 from 7-9 p.m.

Lecture by Dr. Donald Staff on October 22 in the Rush Library Auditorium from 6-7 p.m.

Events at the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at FSW are free and open to the public. Seating is first-come, first-serve at Dr. Donald Staff’s lecture. Gallery hours are Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Closed on Sundays and Holidays.

For more information about the gallery or upcoming events, visit www.RauschenbergGallery.com or call (239) 489-9313.

About The Bob Rauschenberg Gallery:

The Bob Rauschenberg Gallery was founded as The Gallery of Fine Art in 1979 on the Lee County campus of Florida SouthWestern State College/FSW (then Edison Community College). On June 4, 2004 the Gallery of Fine Art was renamed the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery, to honor and commemorate our long time association and friendship with the artist. Over more than three decades until his death, the Gallery worked closely with Rauschenberg to present world premiere exhibitions including multiple installations of the ¼ Mile or Two Furlong Piece. The artist insisted on naming the space the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery (versus the “Robert Rauschenberg Gallery”) as it was consistent with the intimate, informal relationship he maintained with both our local Southwest Florida community and FSW.

About FSW:

Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving more than 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW will debut its intercollegiate athletics program in the fall 2015. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information.

Last Updated: October 10, 2014