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 Nelson
artist, Rob
Knowles is a contemporary multi-media artist born in 1954 in the north of
England. Rob now lives in the Brooklyn Valley in the Motueka region of
New Zealand, and works between there and Arnhem Land which is located on
native Aboriginal lands in the Northern Territories of Australia.
Although originally
trained as a draughtsman, Rob also tried several other professions during
his youth including marine engineering in the merchant navy, nursing, and
farming. He travelled extensively before eventually settling in New
Zealand. Being a draftsman and artist allowed him to explore the fine
line between art and technology, and this is a common thread that runs
through his work. Over the years he has experimented with several
different media, studying intaglio printmaking with eminent printmaker Sue
Cook, and photography with abstract photographer Grant Douglas.
A friendship with
multi-media artist Daniel Champion was a turning point for Rob's art which
is reflected in his paintings. Rob's works incorporate a wide range of
painting techniques aimed at creating a textural language often bringing
together photographs, prints, and engineering drawings and objects.
Unafraid to step over the line to make a point, his work often reflects a
political, ethical, racial or environmental subject matter, often
challenging our established view point or perception of reality.
His fascination
with the act of creating an image, and a willingness to explore a variety of
processes, encompass a broad spectrum of work, but all of his paintings seek
to pass on a message, as well as an emotional response.
Rob's work is
exhibited at “up the garden path” gallery Motueka, the “Coolstore Gallery”,
Mapua, and various café galleries in the Nelson region of New Zealand, as
well as the "Fox Gallery and Artspace 610" in Brisbane, Australia.
Rob
is currently working on a corporate commission for a large Australian
company.
Rob's studio is located at Mountain
Apple Farm, Brooklyn Valley, Motueka, New Zealand
Rob Knowles Gallery |
