A Conversation with Robert Anspach
Robert Anspach is Bobby's father and co-founder of the Bobby Anspach Studios Foundation.
Robert Anspach in ‘Place for Continuous Eye Contact’
When did you first recognize that Bobby's artistic pursuits weren't just a hobby but a serious calling?
Bobby and I would have these profound late-night conversations when he was an undergraduate at Boston College. He would share his beliefs about something universal that connects us all while still honoring our individuality. Even then, I sensed he was grappling with ideas that went far beyond typical college discussions about art and life.
But the moment I truly recognized his calling was when he created his first "Place for Continuous Eye Contact" at California College of the Arts. Picture a foot-high box that you peer into, discovering something unexpected at the other end—unlike anything I'd ever encountered. That piece made me realize Bobby was creating something genuinely special, something that could transform how people experience art and themselves.
What was your reaction when you first experienced one of Bobby's works?
I remember thinking Bobby was really onto something extraordinary. As a father, though, my primary concern was always his wellbeing—keeping him safe, secure, and healthy. This was during a period when Bobby was facing some personal challenges, so while I felt immense pride in his artistic achievements, my parental instincts focused on his overall health and stability.
The most profound experience came after Bobby passed away. When we visited his studio, I stepped inside one of his interactive sculptures—what we call his "machines." In that moment, I felt closer to him than I had since his death. Looking through my own eyes into his creation, I truly felt that he and I were together again.
What motivated you to establish the foundation?
Jane and Robert Anspach at Studio 3X, Bobby Anspach's studio in Brooklyn.
Five days after Bobby's death in 2022, we received an unexpected text from Elizabeth Ferrer, who had curated Bobby's art. She wrote that if there were any effort to preserve his work, she would offer her complete support. Days later, Paula Baldoni (of River House Arts in Toledo) called with the same message—that Bobby's art was genuinely valuable and meaningful. Paula visited us and spoke passionately about the importance of his work.
At that moment, establishing a foundation wasn't even on our radar. But through these conversations, we began to understand that something truly significant needed to be preserved. We arranged to visit Bobby's studio with art critic Saul Ostrow and Karen Kettler, an attorney who specializes in artists' estates. When Karen experienced Bobby's interactive sculptures firsthand, she was struck by their power. Saul had the same reaction. Even Paul, our driver who had known Bobby personally, emerged from the experience with tears in his eyes.
That day, we decided Bobby's work deserved to be preserved and shared with the world. It remains one of the best decisions we've ever made.
Have you discovered new aspects of Bobby's work through the Foundation?
Bobby continues to be present in our lives—I have no doubt about that. I've returned to daily meditation, and I consistently feel his presence during these quiet moments.
On Christmas Day, something remarkable happened. I sat down to meditate, and words began flowing through me like a conversation between Bobby and myself. It ended with him saying, "I am already on my way, Dad. I will be there soon." When I asked, "Will I recognize you?" he replied, "No, Dad, but you will know me." These moments reinforce my belief that his work continues to connect us across dimensions we don't fully understand.
What do you hope visitors will understand at the upcoming Newport exhibition?
We're building significant momentum for Bobby's legacy. After the Newport Art Museum exhibition, the Toledo Museum of Art will feature Bobby's work in August 2026. Their director has expressed genuine enthusiasm for Bobby's vision, and we're seeing growing institutional recognition of his contribution to contemporary art.
Through these exhibitions, I hope visitors will understand that Bobby's work offers something our world desperately needs—a moment of pause, reflection, and connection to something larger than ourselves.
Were there moments when Bobby surprised you that revealed his true character?
Bobby developed an unlikely friendship with Christopher Hyland, a renowned fabric designer who had advised President Clinton and speaks at international conferences. Christopher would invite Bobby to dinner parties at his Chelsea apartment.
I'll never forget Bobby calling his mother Jane, asking, "What am I supposed to wear?" Jane directed him to Bloomingdale's for appropriate attire. Bobby followed her advice perfectly—except he decided to complete his outfit with red velvet slippers. That was Bobby: respectful of the occasion but unmistakably himself.
When Bobby passed away, I called Christopher's studio. His partner Constantino answered and immediately began crying when I shared the news. Christopher took the phone and also broke down. When he composed himself, he said, "Since Bobby is gone, we must ensure his work stays alive. How shall we do that?"
At Bobby's memorial service, Christopher spoke from fifty handwritten pages. After experiencing Bobby's interactive sculpture for the first time, he had told Bobby, "This is the most incredible piece I've ever encountered. It's as though it's from another world." That response from someone of Christopher's stature and sophistication confirmed what we were beginning to understand about Bobby's unique artistic vision.
Christopher Hyland and his partner Constantino in "Place for Continuous Eye Contact."
If you could share one message with people experiencing Bobby's work for the first time, what would it be?
Despite the way our world might be now, this world is beautiful. This world must be cherished. This world must be preserved. Each of us, whether looking into our own eyes or another person's eyes, is unique and beautiful, and yet we are all one.
What's the most meaningful response you've received from someone experiencing Bobby's art?
Two responses stand out. When Paul, our driver who knew Bobby as a person rather than just an artist, experienced one of Bobby's sculptures and emerged with tears streaming down his face—that reaction from someone who understood Bobby's heart was deeply meaningful.
And Christopher Hyland's profound response showed me that Bobby's work reaches people in ways that transcend typical art appreciation. It touches something deeper, something universal that connects us all.
Any final thoughts?
If there's one quality Bobby inherited from me, it's the courage to be vulnerable. There's nothing I won't discuss openly, and Bobby shared that same willingness to be transparent about life's complexities. Vulnerability is simply openness—and I encourage everyone not to fear it. In Bobby's work, that vulnerability becomes a bridge to connection and understanding.
Sara Griffin (Director of Communications), Robert Anspach, and Jane Anspach at the Bobby Anspach Studios Foundation booth at SPRING/BREAK Art Show in New York, 2024.
