Robert Rauschenberg, an icon of 20th century American art passed away today, aged 82.

Regardless of the labels that many attribute to him, such as post-war modernist, sometime anti-abstract expressionist, pop art precursor, founder of found-art, or 1950s enfant terrible, he should best be remembered as an avant garde inventor. He refused to limit his skills to one medium. He crossed many artistic boundaries and often blurred the distinction between media and disciplines. His skills covered painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, assemblage, papermaking, set design and performance art.

While I’ve always truly admired great technical achievement and virtuoso design in art, I have even greater respect for those artists who invent new forms, bring us new combinations and who push the boundaries, and our hot buttons. Bon Chance Mr.Rauschenberg – art really can change the world.