Robert Watson
'In 2002 Mildura
based artist Robert Watson completed the Bachelor of Visual Art (Fine Art)
at La Trobe University Visual Arts Graduate Studio Access Grant (VAGSAG)
for 2003.
Feeling "quite humbled, but elated" at being selected for the
award, Watson saw it as recognition that he was "on the right
track" artistically.
It dispelled any doubts that he may have had about his practice and also
marked anew era in that he was the first printmaking major to have been
awarded the VAGSAG.'
Taken from 'Sunraysia Daily, Sept 7, 2004'.
Anatomy and the
composition of the body play a major role in my prints and drawings.
The surface that the figures inhabit are observations of skin. I use these
figures to describe myself and express a social commentary. Our skin can
be looked on as an area or space for observation or self-portraiture - as
an emblem of curiosity or candid revelation.
This observation is ongoing.
Statement regarding
Robert's "Spoon" series
The surface of the local landscape and our relationship with it is rather
unique. Verdant close to, town. Barren and unfruitful, beyond the narrow
movement of the river. This surface or exterior layer of soil is what we
use - it is the outside face of the land. The visible side or skin. Our continual
or prolonged use of the land gives way to visual sign's of damage.
Everything we use as a community, in the production of food comes from
that damaged surface.
As a reflection of this we dine with cutlery - a refined item of
politeness and civility. And while we dine, comments about the land are
often not a topic of discourse. After we are gone and the damage done,
others may find in this surface - our small utensil's. Like remains or
traces as a memorial or memento.
And the land may be our last supper.
Robert Watson, 2006.
Landscape series
In western formal landscape compositions you are given a view of
land and its direction toward the horizon and sky line. In my landscapes
the primary objective is to investigate the surface of the ground – that
upper layer of the earth’s crust that we use. I am interested in the
erosion and tarnished surfaces such as stones and pieces of rock of all
shapes and sizes that have become detached and might be used in building
or roadmaking. I use these elements from the earth’s crust to indicate
our prolonged use of this very fragile resource.
2011 - Finalist Rick Amour Print Prize
2003 - Visual Arts Graduate Studio Access Grant. VAGSAG recipient
2002 - Bachelor of Visual Arts/Fine Art, Latrobe University, Mildura campus
2000 - Diploma of Arts/Visual Art. Tafe, Mildura
2000 - Eckersleys Award, in recognition of academic achievements, presented by the council of Tafe, Mildura
2011 - Land-Scape, Stefano's Gallery 25, Mildura
2010 - Road Gardens #3, Stefano’s Gallery 25
2009 - Road Gardens #2, Stefano’s Gallery 25
2008 -
2007 - Selfscape/debris, Mildura Arts Centre
2004 - Consider the road, Mildura Arts Centre
2010
Black is the Colour, Shoalhaven City Arts Centre
2009
Black and White, The Art Vault, (Writer’s Festival Exhibition)
2008
Opening Exhibition, The Art Vault
2006
Works on paper - Gallery 25
Palimpsest,
Mildura
Melbourne Art Fair
Recent works - Gallery 25
2005
Works on paper - Gallery 25
Melbourne Art Fair
Selected works - Gallery 25
2004
Works on paper - Gallery 25
Selected works - Gallery 25
2003
Palimpsest, Mildura
Works on paper - Gallery 25
2002
Final Exhibition, BAVA, Fine Art, Mildura
2001
Palimpsest, Mildura
Work is held in the Mildura Arts Centre Collection and in private collections in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, Adelaide and Mildura. Work is in private collections in Canada, New Zealand, Dubai and London.