Work by Sanctuary Lakes artist Debbie Robinson will feature in the IMAGINE exhibition in Yarraville this month. 71489 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
By Alesha Capone
CREATING amazing artworks is a way of life for Sanctuary Lakes resident Debbie Robinson.
Three of Ms Robinson’s paintings will feature in an upcoming exhibition titled IMAGINE, presented by the Western Region Arts Network Inc at the Arthouse Ink Gallery in Yarraville from 15-30 October.
“I think I started doing art while I was a teenager at high school,” Ms Robinson said.
She went on to study intaglio printmaking and renaissance art history in Italy, a fine arts degree in painting at RMIT and has just completed a Masters of Art Curatorship at the University of Melbourne.
She has also exhibited her works across Australia and has been a finalist in several competitions, including the Shirley Hannan National Prize for Portraiture.
“Being a finalist for the Kilgour Prize at the Newcastle Region Art Gallery was kind of the highlight of my career so far,” Ms Robinson said.
“I was probably one of the only artists involved who wasn’t in the Archibald.”
Ms Robinson said having her work exhibited at the same place as famous contemporary artists as part of the bi-annual contest, which encourages innovative figurative paintings by Australian artists, was exciting.
The talented artist said her paintings mainly focus on the human figure in landscapes and explore themes of ritual, spiritual connection and the search for mythical paradise.
Art is also a family affair for Ms Robinson, as her mother also enjoys painting and her father-in-law is a well-known ceramicist.
Coming from such a creative family, Ms Robinson said her children, aged 12, nine and seven, were accustomed to living in a home with paintings everywhere.
“They like coming to exhibitions, mainly for the orange juice and snacks,” Ms Robinson said.
“My daughter loves drawing, but to her it’s just drawing Pokemon characters.”
Now she has finished studying, Ms Robinson said she hoped to set up art classes for adults or tertiary students who want to develop a contemporary portfolio.
Expressions of interest in attending the classes can be sent to me@debbierobinson.com.au
See www.wran.org.au and www.arthouseink.com.au for more information about the IMAGINE exhibition.
