Melbourne 1940 – 2009
Using (a) repertoire of symbolic and expressive elements, John Robinson’s paintings and prints develop richly evocative responses to the nature of the land, of life and of our experience.
Although they possess considerable visual appeal, they are never purely decorative. There is always a departure point, a cue to suggest further contemplation, an invitation to speculate on and to consider the issues that have generated these images and that, embodied in symbol and emotional evocation, are contained within them.
Energy as the ever present, always changing, all embracing factor, to be pursued in a search for truth and meaning, locates these works within the domain of philosophy, a visual parallel to one of the eternal quests, an understanding of the nature of the universe.
Bernard Hoffert 1988
JOHN ROBINSON
Melbourne, 1940 – 2009
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2016 Eastgate Gallery, Melbourne
2013 Eastgate & Holst, Melbourne
2009 Bendigo Art Gallery, Essential Refencing, Recent Works
2002 Phyllis Palmer Gallery, La Trobe University, Bendigo
2000 Bulle Galleries, Melbourne
1999 Bulle Galleries, Melbourne
1996 Charles Nodrum Gallery, Melbourne
1995 Bendigo Art Gallery, Recent Paintings
1994 Bendigo Art Gallery, Intaglio Prints
1993 Phyllis Palmer Gallery, La Trobe University, Bendigo
1992 Mary Place Gallery, Sydney
1991 Realities Gallery, Melbourne
1990 Swan Hill Regional Gallery of Contemporary Art
1989 Realities Gallery, Melbourne
1987 Gallery 52, Perth
1987 Anima Gallery, Adelaide
1986 Realities Gallery, Melbourne
1984 Realities Gallery, Melbourne
1982 Realities Gallery, Melbourne
1980 Druckma Press, Melbourne
1977 Owen Dixon Chambers, Melbourne
1977 Realities Gallery, Melbourne
1974 Realities Gallery, Melbourne
1969 Strines Gallery, Melbourne
1966 Argus Gallery, Melbourne
1962-2007 Numerous Group Exhibitions held nationally and internationally including Japan, USA, Canada and the UK.
AWARDS & PROJECTS
1976-1983 Druckma Press was established. George Baldessin, John Robinson and Les Kossatz were the founders. They printed their own works also editioning for other contemporary artists such as Fred Williams, John Brack, John Olsen, Noel Counihan and Clifton Pugh
1974 Geelong Art Gallery, Print Purchase Prize Award
1975 Australian Visual Arts Board, Special Projects Grant
1977 Australian Visual Arts Board, Direct Assistance Grant
1980 Australian Visual Arts Board, Special Projects Grant
1983 Queensland Art Gallery Purchase Prize
1999 Outside Study Program, La Trobe University, Bendigo
2000 Visiting Artist, Glasgow School of Art, Scotland
REPRESENTED
Australian National Gallery, Canberra
National Gallery of Victoria
Art Gallery of SA
Queensland Art Gallery
Queen Victoria Art Gallery & Museum, Launceston
Museum and Art Gallery NT, Darwin
Parliament House Canberra
Print Council of Australia
Ballarat Regional Gallery
Benalla Regional Gallery
Bendigo Regional Gallery
Burnie Regional Gallery
Geelong Regional Gallery
Mornington Regional Gallery
Swan Hill Regional Gallery
Flinders University Collection
La Trobe University Collection, Melbourne
La Trobe University Collection, Bendigo
Australian National University Collection, Canberra
Other institutional, major corporate and private collections
