This Collection of "7 Characters" is one of two sets in it's entirety. This series of unique collages, representing seven Chinese characters, was created in collaboration with papermakers at the Xuan Paper Mill in Jungian, China.  Cast paper, fabric collage and mirror mixed media. Ribbon, silk medallion, paper, paper-pulp relief, ink, gold leaf on handmade Chinese 30-ply moulded Xuan paper. (The Xuan Paper Mill is the oldest paper mill in the world). Floating, 40.5 x 26 78 inches each mounted in block Lucite Frame. From a suite of 70 variations published by Gemini G.E.L. Los Angeles Signed, Inscribed, Stamped. c. 1982 PRICE ON REQUEST

More than 300,000 people attended the ROCI CHINA exhibition that opened at the National Art Gallery, Beijing, in November 1985. Included in the presentation were examples of Rauschenberg’s 7 Characters (1982), a series of unique collages representing seven Chinese characters. The works were made in collaboration with papermakers at the world’s oldest-known paper mill, Xuan Paper Mill in Jingxian, Anhui Province. Before spending two weeks at the mill, Rauschenberg traveled throughout the country visiting museums, cities, villages, archaeological sites, and meeting with art students in Beijing. 

Born with the name Milton Rauschenberg in Port Arthur, Texas, Robert Rauschenberg became one of the major artists of his generation and is credited along with Jasper Johns of breaking the stronghold of Abstract Expressionism*. 

Rauschenberg was known for assemblage*, conceptualist methods, printmaking, and willingness to experiment with non-artistic materials--all innovations that anticipated later movements such as Pop Art*, Conceptualism*, and Minimalism*. 

In May, 1999, ARTNews magazine featured him as one of the top twenty-five influential western artists, stating: "His irreverent notions of what an artwork could be gained him the status of an enfant terrible. . .Rauschenberg pushed the viewer to accept the unexpect  ...  Displaying 750 of 19747 characters. 

Born:  1925 - Port Arthur, Texas