Rodney Forbes

b. 1951

Rodney Forbes is is fascinated by how people tell stories. His vibrant paintings address deeply poignant subject matter through dreamlike and surreal imagery. Figures and objects float against his trademark palette of bright, luminous colours, drawing the viewer in to explore a rich narrative. Drawing on both autobiographical and historical events, Forbes has the masterful ability to portray sometimes dark and challenging subject matter through vibrant, cartoon-like imagery, resulting in deeply engaging works that invite extended contemplation.

Rodney Forbes’ work is held in the collection of the Australian National Gallery, Canberra, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Artbank, several regional galleries and numerous private collections in Australia and internationally. He is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow in the Faculty of Arts and Education at Federation University Australia and was previously the Director of Gippsland Centre for Art and Design and Switchback Gallery at Monash University. His work has been the subject of two major curated survey exhibitions and he has been the recipient of an Australia Council Arts and Crafts Board New Work Grant. Forbes has been active in the curation of numerous indigenous exhibitions and cross-cultural art projects.

Photograph of Rodney Forbes by Richard Dodson

PAST EXHIBITIONS

2023

2021

2019

2017

2014

In Blog

Finalists in the Maritime Art Prize – The Mission to Seafarers

Image above: Christine Wrest-Smith  Jars of glass  2023  oil on linen  76.5 x 76.5 cm Congratulations to Sue Anderson, Dale …

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Rodney Forbes – ‘Signs & Wonders’ at Glenn Green Galleries

Image above: Rodney Forbes  Return of the Moth Man  2021  oil on canvas  46 x 35 cm. Rodney Forbes is …

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Rodney Forbes – ‘The war that never went away’

Image above: Rodney Forbes  The war that never went away  2022  oil on canvas  35 x 71 cm We are …

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Dianne Fogwell – ‘Prescience’ Exhibition at Geelong Gallery

Image above: Dianne Fogwell  Prescience  2023  linocut and woodcut  4,500 x 145 cm  – installation at Geelong Gallery Congratulations to …

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Raymond Arnold Highly Commended & Rodney Pople a Finalist in the 2024 Glover Prize

Image above: Raymond Arnold Congratulations to Raymond Arnold, who has been Highly Commended in the 2024 Glover Prize, and to …

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The 2024 Palmer Sculpture Biennial

Image above: Greg Johns  The Kiss (Buried Alive)  2022-23  Corten steel  140 x 486 x 18cm “Congratulations to Greg Johns …

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Gallery News – When one door closes, another one opens…

The three adjoining properties which comprise the Australian Galleries Sculpture Park in Porcupine Ridge are now on the market. The …

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Marina Strocchi – Featured in The Art of Healing magazine

Image above: Marina Strocchi  Dusk in the Hills  2023  acrylic on linen  60 x 93 cm Marina Strocchi’s insightful writing …

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Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe 2024

Image above: Greg Johns  Sit Down Fella (Contemplative)  2023  Corten steel and bronze  260 cm high To view a selection …

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Barbie Kjar – Winner of the 2024 Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing

Image above: Barbie Kjar and her winning work No Expectations  2024 Photograph by Louisa Chircop Congratulations to Barbie Kjar, Winner …

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David Frazer ‘All That You’ve Loved’ Exhibition at Trinity College

‘David Frazer is primarily a graphic artist, a printmaker, who in his work creates a little microcosm, or a convincing …

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Simon Normand – Exhibition Reviews and Interviews – The Age, ABC Radio & Nikkei Asia

Image above: Simon Normand  Map – Australia  2023  acrylic on canvas and mixed media  145 x 170 cm  Simon Normand’s …

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Michael Buzacott – SLOT Window Gallery 2024

Image above: Michael Buzacott  Olympia  2024  steel  199 x 130 x 69 cm   SLOT is an independent window gallery …

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