As 2023 draws to a close…
Firstly, thank you for checking out my new website. My old brick website was not really representative of all the materials I use for my artworks and I wanted clients also to be able to purchase through a new, more functional website. It's a 'work-in-progress' though and improvements will be made. Please let me know on jamesonrobinson5@gmail.com if you have any suggestions.
The year started off with an inspiring trip to South Korea; a fascinating country with great art. I attended several art exhibitions there including the standout show of the year for me, Maurizio Cattelan's 'WE', at the Leeum Museum of Art. Other exhibitions included Takashi Murakami, Jun Oson and the impressive collection at the Paradise City resort in Incheon. I also released a Korean themed screen print to coincide with the trip; my first edition of the year.
Other memorable exhibitions closer to home this year included Nick Smith, Javier Calleja (in London and Malaga), Ly, Roby Dwi Antono, David Hockney, Thierry Noir, José Parlá, Ian Davenport, Miles Aldridge and Marina Abramović. I am very lucky to live in close proximity to London which has such a vibrant art scene.
I released 4 prints this year - Korean Crossing, QR code, three new colour variants of my Choose Your Penguin image (orange, blue and khaki) and Slippery When Wet; my twelfth screen print. I love the process of producing screen prints, especially hand-finishing unique variants. My latest print, Slippery When Wet, was larger than previous releases at 40 x 40cm and also had an embossed penguin and deckled edges. There are still some available as I write - please see my STORE for details.
In July, I had the opportunity to paint some murals onto the walls of a brand new luxury student accommodation building in Derby, U.K. This was the first time I had taken my art elsewhere and I loved the whole process. After 6 days of painting, I'd left my mark with 9 large murals and 15 penguins for students to enjoy. I hope to do more of this in 2024, including some 'street' pieces.
As the year draws to a close, I have been working on more bricks and blocks. It's what got me started on art again after a 30 year hiatus. I love the permanence and durability of a brick and my latest creations pay tribute to some of the greatest artists and their images from the last century, including Haring, Mondrian, Rothko, Bochner, Basquiat. Recreating these famous images helps me to understand the artist's processes and attention to detail. Who knows, maybe, I could showcase some of these in a show next year.....
Finally, I would like to thank everyone for your support this year. It has been a tough time in the art world, if, like me, you're trying to make a living selling your art. But there are some signs of a recovery and a tad more optimism.... I had hoped to go to Antarctica this year and that is still in my grand plan, but perhaps now in 2024/5.....
I wish you all a great Christmas 2023 and a happy and prosperous new year.
Jameson
Fleet, United Kingdom.