David Robinson (artist)

David Robinson (born 1964) is a Canadian artist specializing in figurative sculpture. He is best known for dynamic compositions that situate his figures in abstract formal environments.

David Robinson
Born (1964-11-10) November 10, 1964
Websitewww.robinsonstudio.com

Early life and education

Born in Toronto, David Robinson entered the Fine Arts stream in high school specializing in sculpture. He continued his studies at Langara College and became an Honours Graduate in the Sculpture Program at the Ontario College of Art and Design.

Artistic practice

Robinson's work is an example of contemporary humanist realism that draws on conceptual and metaphysical themes.[1][2]

Robinson's figures reference classical traditions, but often invert or subvert traditional dynamics.[3][4]

His early works stirred controversy by combining nudity with Christian themes and imagery.[5][6] Robinson's sculptures incorporate a variety of materials ranging from bronze, steel and silver to concrete, mirror and paper. Robinson's works range from small unique and editioned works to large-scale monumental sculpture. Examples of large works are those commissioned by parties such as the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo,[7] Polygon Homes,[8] the Four Seasons Hotel Resort in Whistler,[9] the Fort McMurray Airport Authority,[10] Century Group,[11] and the Rosewood Hotel Georgia[12]

Notable works
Windward Calm by David Robinson at the Gordon and Leslie Diamond Healthcare Centre.

Windward Calm

Windward Calm is a kinetic suspended sculpture installed at the Gordon and Leslie Diamond Centre at Vancouver General Hospital in 2018. Robinson was inspired to create the piece while spending time at VGH recovering from a cardiac valve repair.[13][14] The sculpture hangs from a custom winching system and travels vertically through the 7-storey glass atrium, while rotating in the air currents.

Reflections on the River

Reflections on the River was commissioned by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.[15] The municipality engaged in intensive public consultation for both art selection and siting.[16]

Further reading
  • MacGillivray, Sage. What Vancouver’s divisive ‘Spinning Chandelier’... The Globe and Mail, January 2020
  • Fuglie, Gordon L. Levity and Gravity: The Sculpture of David Robinson, Image, Spring 2015
  • Prinzing, Debra. Loose Tension, Gray Magazine, No. 21, April 2015
  • Wilkinson, Loren & Robinson, Harry. Holy Tensions, CRUX, Spring 2014
  • Prescott, Theodore L., A Broken Beauty, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Michigan, 2005. ISBN 978-0802828187
  • Reynolds, Travis. Welcome to the Revitalized Bronze Age, Calgary Herald, August 2005
  • Dobbs, Sarah. A week in the life of artist David Robinson, Vancouver Sun, October 2003
  • van Slyke, Bruce. Levitas/Gravitas: The Sculpture of David Robinson, Tracey Lawrence Gallery, 2002. ISBN 978-0973129502
  • Todd, Douglas. Easter Art That Inspires, Provokes, Vancouver Sun, March 29, 2002
  • van Slyke, Bruce. Suspended Belief, Espace, September, 2002
  • van Slyke, Bruce. Interval - the conditional monuments of David Robinson, Espace, June 2001
  • Scott, Michael. Religious Studies, Vancouver Sun, December 16, 1999
  • Gustafson, Paula. Inhabitants, Espace, January, 1998
  • Scott, Michael. Cutting Fine Figures, Vancouver Sun, October 8, 1997
  • Gustafson, Paula. Nude Everymen Make Revealing Connections, Georgia Straight, June, 1997
  • Link, Barry. Naked Introspection, Richmond News, June, 1997
  • Kangas, Matthew. David Robinson at Diane Farris, Art in America, October, 1996
  • Great Work! An Overview of British Columbia Artists, Melanie Gold Art advisory Ltd., 1996. ISBN 978-0968097700
  • Bale, Douglas. Young Contemporaries Exhibition, London Free Press, September, 1993
  • Dykk, Lloyd. In His Own Image, Vancouver Sun, March, 1993
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References
  1. Van Slyke, Bruce (Autumn 2002). "David Robinson: Suspended Belief" (PDF). Espace Sculpture. Number 61: 10–14 – via https://id.erudit.org/iderudit/9244ac.
  2. Keatley, Chris (July 2017). "David Robinson The Conditional Figure". Pendulum Gallery.
  3. Van Slyke, Bruce (Summer 2001). "Interval: The conditional monuments of David Robinson". Espace Sculpture. Number 56: 47–48 – via https://id.erudit.org/iderudit/9435ac.
  4. Fuglie, Gordon (Spring 2015). "Levity and Gravity: The Sculpture of David Robinson". Image Journal. 88: 25–35.
  5. Wilkinson, Loren. "Holy Tensions" (PDF). CRUX. Spring 2014: 22–41.
  6. Todd, Douglas (March 2002). "Easter art that inspires, provokes" (PDF). The Vancouver Sun.
  7. "Public Art Committee presents Reflections on the River".
  8. "Public Art Registry Richmond - David Robinson". City of Richmond.
  9. Gill, Alexandra (August 2004). "Sleeping with an original". The Globe and Mail.
  10. "Art at YMM". Fly YMM.
  11. "Where Art and Innovation Connect".
  12. Pecknold, Joy (September 2011). "Farmboy Fine Arts, International Arts Consultants". Montecristo.
  13. "Waiting for heart surgery, he thought the hospital atrium could use a sculpture. Now he's making one". CBC Arts. January 2018.
  14. "Heart Surgery Patient and Artist Creates Windward Calm, a Sculpture for Hospital Atrium". VGH Foundation. October 2019.
  15. Thurton, David (October 6, 2018). "After past missteps, Fort McMurray unveils latest public artwork". CBC.
  16. Malik, Nabil (Spring 2018). "Public art: Creating a culturally vibrant region in Wood Buffalo". Plan Canada. 58: 22–24.
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