Onespace is very excited to present our latest exhibition by nationally acclaimed artist Brian Robinson. Elixir – blended cosmologies comprises a selection of recent linocuts, and etchings, in addition to a major work – a four-metre wall sculpture, Containment of the seven seas. Elixir – blended cosmologies is presented in association with Mossenson Galleries (Subiaco).
Robinson is a highly celebrated Indigenous artist of his generation, and a leader in his field within his community and throughout Australia. In recent years, he has moved further afield, building a strong, international reputation.
His work is highly innovative, combining a unique blend of the organic and man-made reference material. It embraces popular culture, traditional art historical concerns, and is also informed by his Torres Strait Islander heritage and familial experience.
Robinson, says: ‘My creations are seemingly incongruous concoctions where motifs and characters are co-opted into the spirit world of the Islander imagination, which are then intertwined with historical narrative, personal history and humour.’
Onespace Gallery Director John Stafford, says: ‘Robinson’s work is best known for its multiple narratives and blended cosmologies – Zenadh Kes, the western Age of Enlightenment, the Renaissance, Marvel Comics and the Disney franchises. Each is its own filter on the world, which he handles confidently and sensitively. These filters are layered in intellectual consideration but are fully realised as an integrated planar whole.’
From diverse sources, Robinson creates one artistic lens that makes sense of a spectacular and fantastical world, or coexistence of ‘worlds’, that intermingle in both vision and messages. This is Robinson’s ‘elixir’ of life, or more specifically ‘artistic life’.
Robinson’s sculpture is also visible in the urban environment with high-profile public art projects in many Australian cities, from Perth to Port Macquarie, Brisbane, Mackay, and Cairns. In 2017, his $1 million public artwork, Citizens Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef (Ocean Guardian), was unveiled on the Cairns Esplanade where it remains on display. This popular and iconic work, co-funded by the Australian, Queensland and Cairns Regional Council Governments, was subsequently shared widely on social media, in particular on Instagram.
Robinson has been recognised on numerous occasions with awards and grants both within the arts community and in the mainstream arena. He received the national Western Australian Indigenous Art Award in 2013 ($50,000), and more recently was awarded both the Hazelhurst National Art on Paper Award in 2017 (Major Award) and the Collie Art Prize($50,000) in 2018. In 2001, he was awarded an Arts and Culture Recognition Award from Cairns Corroboree and on several occasions has been recognised with funding from the Australia Council (1998, 2003, 2007, 2017).
Brian Robinson is represented in Australia by Onespace Gallery in Brisbane, and Mossenson Galleries in Subiaco.
Please join us for opening night drinks with the artist on Friday, 13 April 2018, 6–8 pm, when the exhibition will be officially launched by the Hon. Jackie Trad MP, Deputy Premier, Treasurer, and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships.
ONExchange | Brian Robinson and Virginia Rigney In Conversation: Friday, 13 April 2018, 5:15–5:45pm
Opening Night Drinks: Friday, 13 April 2018, 6-8pm
