ROBIN KERR

ABOUT | WORK | SPOTLIGHT | MORE

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Biography

Robin Kerr, a contemporary New Zealand painter currently based in Portland, Oregon, has been fully devoted to fine art since 2021, transitioning from a previous part-time role as an illustrator. Despite lacking a formal degree in the arts, Kerr is a self-taught artist who has consistently found joy in the act of creation. Witnessing others derive enjoyment from her creations brings her immense satisfaction.

As an immigrant, Kerr often occupies a state of permanent observation and limbo. This unique perspective is reflected in her art - fusion of large, bold shapes and intricate, scribbly lines, featuring blocks of dominant color punctuated by specks of contrast. Her work exhibits a juxtaposition of clean edges and smudged overlays, creating a visual language that mirrors the dichotomy of certainty and uncertainty.

STATEMENT

My playfully abstracted work explores the intersection of culture, history, timelessness and the challenge of perspective. Technically, multiple materials, especially paint, wax pastel and ink are applied onto panel with various tools, then scratched and scraped off again to provide depth and texture. Deliberately multifaceted and contradictory elements encourage the viewer to experience the work with their own stories and interpretations.

Essentially, my aim is to create something that makes people smile, hesitate, look again, and wonder.

ROBIN'S WEBSITE

SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTIST

I think there is something red in just about everything I’ve done. Sometimes the whole work is red, sometimes it might be just a teeny tiny square. But somewhere there will be a red element. I can’t explain why. I am drawn to red like a magpie is drawn to shiny things.
My art DOES talk. At me. All the time. It maintains a highly critical monologue for some reason, which is quite annoying.
Mostly I listen to murder mystery audio books. When my book runs out in a session, I listen to whatever music works for my mood. Recently I have been listening to J.J. Cale, Indigo Girls, Jethro Tull. Must be feeling a bit nostalgic about something.
My hair dryer. I use it to soften the wax & oil pastels I use so I can mix and blend and then wipe them off again. I have to remember to tie my hair up in the studio so it doesn’t get caught in the hair-dryer’s fan.
I do name them. Most of the names are pretty weird because I imagine the elements in the work (the vessel and the flower and the little magic carpets etc.) getting together and planning what they should do when we’re not watching. They are not descriptive names. They’re a snippet of the conversation.
TBD. I am working on one right now. It is iteration five, I think - spanning 10 years or so. There is real danger of a blow out because the base is canvas, but it has so many layers, including canvas as collage, that it is still usable.