ROWAN ROBERTSON
visual artist
Recent Work
CV
Rowan Robertson
8 May 1976
Education:
2008 - 2010 – Bachelor of Fine Art Degree, National Art School, Sydney.
1999 - 2001 – Bachelor of Art Degree, University of NSW, Sydney.
Solo Exhibitions:
2016 – Bomen (trees) – Gallery Klei, Sydney.
2011 – Palimpsest – Index Space, Sydney.
Group Exhibitions:
2020 – Waverley Art Prize – WWAS – Winner – Mayors Prize, Acquisitive.
2019 – Waverley Art Prize – WWAS – Finalist.
2017 – Wynne Prize – Art Gallery of NSW – Finalist.
2017 – Brisbane Art Prize – Judith Wright Centre – Finalist.
2017 – Waverley Art Prize – WWAS – Finalist.
2017 – Wingecarribee Landscape Prize – Finalist Commended.
2016 – 20 by 20 – Gallery Klei, Sydney.
2015 – Pirtek Still Life Prize – Bowral Art Society – Winner.
2015 – KAAF Art Prize – Korea Australia Art Foundation – Finalist.
2013 – Abstractions – Janet Clayton Gallery, Sydney.
2013 – KAAF Art Prize – Korea Australia Art Foundation – Finalist.
2010 – Degree Show – National Art School, Sydney.
2010 – Emerge – Charity Art Auction, Sydney.
2010 – The Grid – National Art School, Sydney.
2010 – Operant Response – ESP Gallery, Sydney.
2009 – Marrickville Contemporary Art Prize – Finalist Commended.
2009 – The Landscape – National Art School, Sydney.
2007 – Scale – Wilson Street Gallery, Sydney.
2006 – Reframe – Kudos Gallery, College of Fine Arts, Sydney.
Collections:
Waverley Council Art Collection
ARTIST STATEMENT
Our reality is not as solid as we perceive it to be. We look at our world and see concreteness, structure, order and laws. We think that this is how it is, though our existence is much more fleeting, and at the same time more dynamic. We move through life in a dance rather than a journey. There is no destination to dance. It is only about dancing. Life is about movement and change and about the polarity of opposites. It is also about contradictions.
My paintings are an inquiry into this, rooted in the Taoist notion of non-interference (Wu-Wei) and change. They are inward facing landscapes that seemingly take root on their own. Each mark or movement on the canvas informs the next. Mistakes are encouraged and are never corrected. It is complete Play. It is play on demand. Intuition is permitted to take over. Of itself so.
From an academic standpoint, I am interested in exploring these themes to create work that is as fluid and in flux as the reality that we see. A reality that is full of misdirection, confusion and illusion. I want my paintings to be like a mirage, drawing the viewer in, thinking they see something. Following lines around the field, getting drawn in to the dance. Creating their own narrative; as with life.
I know what it is, but when you ask me, I do not know.^
^Saint Augustine of Hippo
