Robin Hodgson Instagram Takeover Highlights
Robin Hodgson in his studio.
Born in 1984, this Canadian artist was raised in Kamloops, BC, where he currently works from his downtown studio. Robin’s multi-disciplinary art practice is divided between his own work in painting and sculpture, and his efforts in promoting the development of contemporary art in his community.
Since the age of 19 Robin has been a C5/C6 quadriplegic. Prior to his injury, Robin was an accomplished snowboarder and a member of Canada’s junior national team. His earliest interest in art came from his mom working at the Kamloops museum, from skateboard graphics and the graffiti on rail cars that would pass by his childhood home.
Robin’s paintings seek to find a connection between artist, canvas, and the viewer. He utilizes memory and emotion, then filters them through the form of narratively rich paintings. His most recent body of work presents a vibrant collection of characters, as the artist investigates the psychological and emotional nature of post able body life.
His work is currently on display in our Main Gallery alongside two other artists. Check out "Drawing from the Margins: Laurie Landry, Bruce Horak, Robin Hodgson" at the Penticton Art Gallery through to May 15, 2021.
Read more about the exhibition here.
Sailing Pretty Close to the Wind, 2021
150x150 cm/60x60”
Acrylic, latex, oil bar, spray paint on canvas
Over the past thirty years the concept of what determines a disability has greatly shifted from the previous medical model to that of a social one. The previous approach focused primarily on the physical and sensory impairments of the individual. While in contrast the current social model recognizes the cognitive and mental health issues that prevent an individual's full participation in society.
In 2017 Statistics Canada found that an estimated 6.2 million Canadians live with one or more disabilities. That’s one in every five individuals making up 22% of our population.
Sailing Pretty Close to the Wind, is a self portrait roused by the anatomical drawings and studies of Da Vinci. Compositionally my work is influenced by the drama and symbolic conventions of Renaissance painting, while thematically my work continues to investigate the emotional and psychological nature of those living with disabilities.
As an artist working from a wheelchair, I rely on my studio assistant, friends, family, and a quartet of various tools to help me overcome my mobility restrictions.
To atone for my lack of hand function and my desire to still use spray paint, I developed this device for my canvas and outdoor mural work. I can use it independently for smaller applications but it functions best with two people in a collaborative method.
The two primary components that make up this tool are a plastic spray gun grip, (originally intended to relieve finger fatigue for the inexperienced aerosol enthusiast), and a bicycle brake. The cable of the bike brake has been drilled through the handle of the spray gun, then fixed to the trigger using a small bolt. By squeezing the bike brake it pulls the cable attached to the trigger and this inturn allows paint to be expelled.
Often I use this to create texture or to block in large areas of background and underpainting. I tape the gun end to my hand and have my assistant hold the brake end of this device. When I’m ready to paint I communicate, “go” and “stop” as I move through the various areas I wish to fill in.
The spray gun is a fairly primitive tool considering the technology we have available these days, nonetheless it bestows a unique line quality and is an important part of my early work.
Race Night, 2021
150x150 cm, 60”x60”
Acrylic and latex on canvas
Race Night, (study) 2021
45x60 cm, 18”x24”
Charcoal, acrylic, oil bar on Arches paper
The study and idea for Race Night were created while listening to John Prine in a flow state.
Philip Guston said that 'painting a picture is the most boring thing a person could do in this world.' He called the act of replicating an image 'wax museum' and by this he meant that the artist should instead be looking to have an experience.
Personally my favorite part of painting is when I lose myself in the work, it’s a meditative state where for a brief moment inspiration can occur. Often this state is referred to by psychologists as flow.
According to psychologist Dr. Csikszentmihalyi, in an interview with Wired magazine, a flow experience can occur in different ways for different people. It often occurs when you are doing something you enjoy and that you are quite skilled at. 'In addition to making activities more enjoyable flow also has a number of other advantages, such as: better emotional regulation, greater enjoyment/fulfilment, greater happiness, intrinsic motivation, better engagement, heightened performance, skill development and increased creativity.'
Dr. Csikszentmihalyi’s research has outlined ten factors that accompany the experience of flow. 'While many of these factors are present, it isn’t necessary to experience all of these to achieve this state.'
1. The activity is intrinsically rewarding.
2. There are clear goals that, while challenging, are still attainable.
3. There is a complete focus on the activity itself.
4. People experience feelings of personal control over the situation and the outcome.
5. People have feelings of serenity and a loss of self-consciousness.
6. There is immediate feedback.
7. People know that the task is doable and there is a balance between skill level and the challenge presented.
8. People experience a lack of awareness of their physical needs.
9. There is strong concentration and focused attention.
10. People experience timelessness, or a distorted sense of time, that involves feeling so focused on the present that you lose track of time passing.
Juice Box 1998, 2018
4th Ave & Victoria Street, Kamloops BC
Compositionally my mural "Juice Box 1998," is made up of various interwoven geometric shapes that celebrate the architecture of this downtown landmark. Designed by award winning architects Peter Cardew and Nigel Baldwin, this civic building houses the TNRD, Library and Kamloops Art Gallery. The shapes in this mural are pulled from lines, angles, and shadows within the building and immediate surrounding area. The most direct example of this can be seen in the dark and light blue shapes in the centre of the mural referencing the brick sidewalk. This piece was first created digitally in photoshop then realized over the four day period during the Kamloops Buskers Festival. This project couldn’t have been completed without the help and expertise of my team, Monica McGarry and Jack Morris.
This summer the Penticton Art Gallery and Robin Hodgson are teaming up to create a mural on the exterior of the Gallery.
Her Majesty's Influence Reaches In All Directions, 2020
150x150cm, 60”x60”
Acrylic, latex, spray paint, and oil bar on canvas
Due to my spinal cord injury (SCI) we weren't able to conceive naturally, and our journey into parenthood began well before conception. Through the process of in-vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and other techniques with cool names like cryopreservation my partner was able to become pregnant, enabling me to witness the most transformative event of my life. After 36 hours of labour my daughter came into this world with a splash. Quite literally in fact as we had planned a water birth at home being the vegan-ish holistic types that we are.
Witnessing the immense strength, determination and capability of my partner giving birth was incredibly moving, while meeting my daughter for the first time put me in a state of shock and a high like I’ve never experienced before. During the first week of parenthood I made a drawing to visually capture this experience. This painting is based on that study, the feelings of this experience and the subsequent questions I found coming up regarding the soul and consciousness. Upon completion of this work I was still no closer to the answer of these questions, yet somehow I’m certain it all begins with the mother.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!
