Artist Bio - Bobby Anderson
About the Artist - Bobby Anderson
Hello and welcome. I’m Bobby Anderson, an artist and maker based in Midtown Memphis, Tennessee.
My philosophy is simple. Art should do something helpful. It should heal, spark curiosity, make you smile, and brighten your space both emotionally and physically.
I was born in Ft. Worth, Texas to an inventor father and a creative writer mother. I grew up surrounded by creativity and problem-solving. That combination of engineering and imagination shaped everything I do today.
My art blends ingenuity and purpose — turning scrap, steel, and found materials into one-of-a-kind functional sculptures that surprise and inspire.
Art That Works, Plays, and Feels Alive
I build functional sculptures and robot lamps from scrap, steel, and found materials, turning them into characters that surprise and inspire.
Each work blends craftsmanship, humor, and heart. My goal is to make serious art that doesn’t feel serious until you realize how deeply it connects. Like a favorite movie that keeps revealing new details, my art unfolds new layers of humor, nostalgia, and warmth every time you see it.
I believe art should encourage play and wonder. It should feel like an old friend who makes you pause, smile, and think. I invite that experience through my work.
Early Life and Education
As a kid, I was always building, painting, and inventing stories. I loved science, music, and art equally, and eventually merged them into one creative pursuit.
At The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, I began as a pre-med student but followed my creative instincts into Art History and Studio Art, focusing on narrative storytelling and filmmaking. My senior thesis film, Visual Harmony (1993), premiered at the Sewanee Art Show, where I produced, directed, edited, and composed the score.
Later, I earned a Master of Arts in Communications and Film from the University of Memphis. My thesis film, A Look in Her Eyes (1997), a lyrical, romantic short film, won Best in Show at both the Indie Memphis and Nashville Film Festivals. I again produced, directed, edited, narrated, and composed and performed the score.
Creative Career and Leadership Experience
My passion for creation led me into the professional worlds of marketing, film, product design, and e-commerce, including leadership roles with brands such as Toys“R”Us and Amazon.
Over two decades, I directed creative and technical teams and served as President and CEO of a national medical education company. I also helped businesses in e-commerce, healthcare, education, and financial services grow and innovate.
Creating, fixing, and improving are what I do best. Whether in art or business, my mission is always the same: make something that "works" - something that's fresh, effective, and unexpectedly uplifting.
A Wake-Up Call and Artistic Rebirth
In 2019, a sudden medical emergency changed my life. Thankfully, I made a full recovery, but the experience reminded me what truly matters. It was time to return to what had always centered, healed, and propelled me: art.
Back in the studio, I began painting, welding, and sculpting again. Working with reclaimed metal, wood, and found materials brought peace and focus. It was more than recovery. It was rebirth through creation.
The RVA246 Philosophy
At RVA246, every piece has purpose. My art is made to live with you, make you laugh, and light your world both literally and emotionally.
Each sculpture or lamp is crafted from salvaged materials that once had another life. Every bolt, wire, and surface carries a story of resilience, reinvention, and renewal.
Burns, scars, and rust are not flaws. They are history. My robots and sculptures reflect what it means to survive and adapt. Lose an arm, build a new one. Get scorched, shine again. Keep learning. Keep moving forward. Keep helping. Who knows where all the parts come from, but they are made whole as a new creation with a past, present, and future.
Each creation is a tribute to persistence, personality, and purpose - a friend.
Today - Art from Memphis to the World
I live and work in Midtown Memphis with my wife, daughter, and a few loyal studio companions. My art now lives in private collections, offices, and galleries across the country and abroad.
Each RVA246 creation is designed to bring wonder, warmth, and joy into your space.
You can view and collect my art directly here at RVA246.com, or contact me for custom commissions, collaborations, or creative services.