Rauschenberg was born in Port Arthur, Texas not far from where I spent most my time growing up. Therefore I have always been attracted to his southern charm and gentle nature, which seems to be self evident when viewing most of his work. I remember watching him on a television program receiving the National Medal of Arts in 1993, not long after the AIDS epidemic took hold of the gay community across the nation. It was during that broadcast that I overheard a family friend discussing that it had long been speculated that he was in long term relationship with fellow artist and collaborator Jasper Johns.
I have long admired his ability to hold true to his sexual identity, especially knowing how difficult it would've been for him in the early 1950's & 60's when he first started to gain national recognition. I also deeply respect his artistic choices, especially when attacked by those not understanding the intention behind his work.
Please enjoy my favorite video clip of Raschenberg as he defends his infamous erasing of the De Kooning :
