Artist: Rohan Robinson

Rohan rocked up completely set up in his Ute and it was so cool to chat and watch his art practice unfold in the studio, he was generous with this past life “screen printing skills” and helped me one day print a heap of Coorong life merch - I now feel confident to do it myself, i just need that support - cheers Rohan - Kate : )

Artist Bio

Rohan Robinson Words:

1980 - 2 Studied Fine Art at Deakin University, bought a car, travelled most of Australia, ended up working as deck hand in the gulf of Carpentaria on prawn trawlers. 83, took off to Japan, had first solo show in Tokyo, hung out with Stelarc and Richard Brautigan, Goro Go and Kieske Uka, making music and also worked in the Japanese surf industry making surfboards. 1984, along with Stelarc represented Australia in the Sendai Pan-pacific art event. Returned to Australia and became a rigger/dogman, 1986 started up the Geelong Rhythm Collective with Dave Steel, George Astinan and a host of other extremely talented musos. 89 went back to Tokyo and Exhibited with ol' mate Peter C Webb at gallery Tamura, invited by the great Yamagishi. Flew to Bali and started up Lost Boys, clothing label, licenced Lost Boys in Japan and Europe,... Moved to the Otway enclave known as Baglands, 15 years of off grid lifestyle and mostly painting outside. 2010-11 worked as art centre manager in Australia's remotest community Patjarr, Gibson Desert, WA. Throughout this time continued to paint and exhibit, with 20 solo shows, numerous group shows, finalist in a number of art shows, Artist in residence 2014. Has moved to Baglands 2 where the weather is slightly warmer....2024

Gallery Bio:

Rohan Robinson studied Fine Art at Deakin University in 1980. In the following 30+ years he has maintained a dedicated and prolific arts practice. Robinson has travelled extensively, worked as a musician, builder, designer and in many other fields. Within the arts industry he has worked in remote Indigenous communities and more recently completed an Artist in Residence at the Geelong College. Rohan Robinson has regularly exhibited his work participating in numerous solo and group shows, both internationally and within Australia.

His lyrical paintings are inspired by the natural environment, from the Victorian coastline all the way to the Western Desert.

Q: If someone was to ask you what do you paint? What is your style?

A: I'm at a point of the more I do it, the less I really know, the landscape is a vehicle for language, not STYLE, but a developed deep seated personal language, that takes many years to reach. My work is not necessarily site specific, but more a conglomerate of parts that would become a regional identifier, subtle. Something between the Western European model and the Western Desert Mob.....of multiple viewpoints, horizon lines, map making, flying between, searching for visual dynamism, of seemingly obscure titles, not of how things look as much as how they feel, a juggling alchemist, where it's essentially all about paint."

Q: How did you hear about the Residence aren’t you from NSW?

I live in NSW and a friend had told me about this Residence on The Coorong, I put my name in because i was already travelling to VIC for an Exhibition of mine - I got the DM Id been successful - It’s so good when things just workout in the right time.

Q: How did you fill your days up?

A: I’ve fitted out my Ute for painting and storage of my large canvas so it was pretty easy I set up outside the Art Studio. One of the KipPod guest purchased a painting straight off the studio wall!

Q: A little birdie told me you have opened a Gallery…..

Yes Kate, Im putting my own art aside to focus on RAFT, Gallery Murwilumbah We opened in August, with the first exhibition featuring 11 artists by MArts management with from the Tiwi Islands to Tasmania. We plan to bring quality artwork from all over Australia to Murwillumbah, then it serves the community in providing an opportunity to see work sometimes only visible in capital cities, If you’re ever in Murwilumbah pop in. RAFT, Gallery 3-5 Brisbane Street Murwillumbah NSW 2484 AU www.raft-gallery.com.au

Q: What advice would you give the next artist?

Take the time to explore - I walked from the front of the property to the beachside and lost my phone in the water, found it again - no idea how that happened and i had 6 hours absorbing the beach side and the Coorong.