Al Roberts

I predominately work using oil-based clay and then in bronze once the sculpture is cast; this technique demonstrates my creative and technical abilities, building on the finely detailed and high-quality craftsmanship I have developed over years of refining my skills as a goldsmith jeweller. I am now based in Melbourne and continue to develop my practice and have made the finals of numerous Art Awards and Prizes. I was the winner of the People’s choice award in the 2018 Artentwine Biennial, finalist in the 2018 Tom Bass prize for figurative sculpture, 2018 & 2019 Contemporary Art Award Australia and 2016 Brighton Jetty Prize.

In 2016 I studied human anatomy under world-renown sculptors Andrew Crawse, Randy Bowen and Mark Newman in Nevada, USA. Working closely with artists I have long admired provided a unique opportunity for me to consolidate and build on my skills, and really gain a true appreciation of the intricateness and complexities of the human form. In 2018 I furthered my knowledge of human Anatomy, attending an intensive anatomy sculpture course in Victoria by visiting Florentine sculptor and art historian Jason Arkles; learning invaluable insight into human anatomy, artistic technique and the history attached to it.

Artist Statement

My sculptures wrestle with the notion of time, and the constraints and stereotypical perception of the mind and body deterioration associated with the aging body. I look to explore how the impulsive thoughts, and unpredictable movements of youth can be illustrated in the aging body. There is a universal fear, and uncomfortable silence surrounding concepts such as the natural aging process, and scenes that challenge societal norms. I would like my work to lead to a re-evaluation of common misconceptions and prejudices associated with growing old and life’s more awkward moments.

Figurative Bronze is a traditional medium, that I feel has been stuck in a dictatorship of controlled perfection and expectations that I feel have been influenced by the need to achieve societies beauty standards. Customarily, bronze figures are graceful, elegant, and youthful or completely abstract in form. I want to challenge this thought process, by showing the natural aging process, and the unexpected beauty behind it.

Artist CV

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2020 Pop Up exhibition, traffic jam galleries, Sydney, NSW

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2019 Finalist exhibition Contemporary Art Wards, Australia
2018 Finalist exhibition Tom Bass Prize for Figurative Sculpture
2018 Small and Wall Flinders Lane Gallery, Mebourne, VIC
2018 Finalist exhibition Artenwine sculpture biennial
2018 Finalist exhibition Contemporary Art Awards Australia
2015 Colville Gallery Group Exhibition, Hobart, TAS
2016 Finalist exhibition Jetty Sculpture Prize, Brighton
2015 Raw Unearthed, UTAS, Hobart, TAS

AWARDS

2019 Finalist Contemporary Art Wards, Australia
2018 Finalist Tom Bass Prize for Figurative Sculpture
2018 Finalist Artenwine sculpture biennial
2018 Finalist Contemporary Art Awards Australia
2016 Highly Comended, Jetty Sculpture Prize, Brighton

COMMISSOINS

2015 – 2019 Private Commissions
2015 Huon Aquaculture, bronze and stainless steel Salmon Sculpture

The Birds

We are excited to present our opening exhibition for 2021 a group thematic show titled THE BIRDS. Participating artists present their own interpretations and responses to this subject. On a two and three dimensional level the works range from the playful and irreverent through to macabre and nightmarish. The subject is presented through a range of mediums such as steel, ceramics, acrylic and oil paint, digital, pen, ink and charcoal.