What do you do?
I’m a painter of the Australian landscape.
When did you get into it?
Since early childhood in the bush around Sydney but more seriously since completing an honours degree in visual art at ANU in 2006.
Who or what influences you as an artist?
The varying light of vast Australian skies and the way it changes the look of the land. I’m also influenced by the way land is represented so differently by Australian artists from Indigenous artists to modern painters like the Tasmanian, Philip Wolfhagen.
What’s your biggest achievement/proudest moment so far?
As an artist it would be winning two emerging artist awards at the end of the honours year or winning a commission for art work in the New Acton Apartments. As a person it’s achieving 42 years of married life with Kate, my wife and main supporter/critic/ advertising agent.
What are your plans for the future?
Keep painting the wild palaces of Australia as long as I can travel to them, hold a paintbrush and translate them into art that satisfies me.
What makes you laugh?
Witty words, jokes well told, visual gags that are surprising and the ridiculous. I love to listen to Billy Connolly although now I smile every time I hear a Glasgow accent. I always get a laugh from the satirical reviews of Shortis and Simpson.
What pisses you off?
People who dismiss contemporary art as “all crap,” and the tailing off of the public art program in Canberra.
What’s your opinion of the local scene?
It’s diverse and gives you the opportunity to experience masterpieces across the ages in the NGA and NPG as well as see cutting-edge contemporary work in CCAS, Drill Hall and ANCA.
What are your upcoming performances/exhibitions?
With a fellow M16 artist we have an exhibition running now at M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Cres, Griffith. It’s elements experienced in extremes or times of change. The collection’s open Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm-5pm. In June I’ll be exhibiting larger works at SoArt gallery in Narooma.
Contact info:
m: 0413 599 794,
e: ianrobertson3@bigpond.com
w: www.openairart.com.au
