From the interior world of work to the greater world beyond, Robin Stewart’s paintings create movement, while centring around a still figure.
These figures forge new paths from their daily life; they come home late, pick up children from school, are caught in the lights or wander past an evening shop. Musicians wait for an exam or leave a taxing audition. Often solitary and absorbed, Stewart’s people move silently through the city.
In his latest body of work, Stewart’s re-invention of the human figure continues in sometimes unexpected ways.
Poet Percy Bysshe Shelley’s Ozymandias, and the artist’s journey to Egypt inspired new directions in his work. He travelled down the Nile and into the desert; wandered through temples and descended into the tombs of an ancient civilisation.
These experiences and the poem drew his work into the myths, deities and iconography of an ancient world. In the desert, he found Shelley’s “trunkless legs of stone”, and:
“Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things…”
Stewart’s painting was pushed into newer spaces, spawning drawings and changes in technique and outlook. This led him to small sculptures in laser-cut steel, with Russian Constructivism connecting all the parts.
Between the late-night windows, music, and Egypt, Stewart’s figurative, geometric work ultimately expands his moving figures into unfamiliar places.
Image above: Marina Strocchi The vineyards of Madden’s Lane 2023 acrylic on linen 122 x 152 cm Congratulations to Kate …
Image above: Robin Stewart Evening with dreams of things past 2021 oil on linen 154 x 154 cm Congratulations to …
Image above: Robin Stewart The second interview 2018 oil on linen 97 x 97 cm Robin Stewart’s paintings depict a …
Image above: Orest Keywan That Line 2023 steel 168 x 271 x 190cm Congratulations to Orest Keywan, Michael Snape and …
Image above: Andrew Antoniou Weird & Wonderful 2024 charcoal on paper 82 x 88 cm Congratulations to Andrew Antoniou who …
Image above: Christine Wrest-Smith Portrait of Susan Johnson oil on linen 122 x 92cm Congratulations to Christine Wrest-Smith who has been …
Image above: Deborah Williams The air smells different 2023 aquatint intalgio 53×39.5cm Congratulations to Deborah Williams, Martin King and Phillip …
Above image details: Jenny Rodgerson Mum’s orange cardigan 2024 oil on linen 60 x 40 cm Congratulations to Jenny Rodgerson and …
Image above: Sarah Tomasetti From Balpatta X 2024 145 x 150 cm pigment oil and marble dust on fresco Congratulations to Holly …
Image above (left to right): Graeme Drendel Portrait of Rick 2024 oil on canvas 41 x 31 cm | Michelle Hiscock …
Image above: Janet Luxton Giant Australian Cuttlefish 2021 oil on canvas 120x160cm Congratulations to Janet Luxton who has had two …
Above image: Wayne Eager, Allegory I 2023 oil on linen 95 x 133 cm Wayne Eager was interviewed by Janet …
Congratulations to Jennifer Keeler – Milne for being selected as a finalist in the Ravenswood Art Prize 2024 for her …