Robert Kushner (b. 1949) is a celebrated contemporary artist renowned for his role in the Pattern and Decoration movement of the 1970s and 1980s. Born in Pasadena, California, Kushner studied at the University of California, San Diego, where he was deeply influenced by an interdisciplinary approach to art. Over his career, he has become known for merging ornamental traditions with modern abstraction, creating vibrant works that blur the boundaries between fine art and craft.
Kushner’s signature style incorporates lush floral motifs, textiles, and gold leaf, drawing inspiration from a diverse range of sources, including Islamic tiles, Japanese screens, and Art Nouveau design. His work challenges the minimalist aesthetics of his time by celebrating opulence, sensuality, and decoration as legitimate modes of artistic expression.
In addition to his paintings and mixed-media works, Kushner has made significant contributions to public art, including large-scale mosaics and murals in locations such as New York City’s 77th Street/Lexington Avenue subway station. His art has been exhibited internationally and is included in major museum collections, including The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), The Whitney Museum of American Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The Tate Modern in London.
Kushner continues to explore themes of beauty, transience, and nature, bridging the past and present through his richly detailed and celebratory art.